Ethics needed for disasters: Before, during, and after

Abstract

This paper defines disaster and discusses the ethics needed before, during, and after a disaster occurs. The concepts of values, liberty, freedom, the common good, and individual rights support ethical policies and actions. The four phases of disaster policies-prevention, planning, response, and mitigation-are grounded in ethical principles that are dominant in bioethics and nursing ethics. Triage ethics as well as the role and functions of the nurse are discussed. Specific ethical issues faced by nurses during and after disasters are detailed.