Which ethical principle involves preventing harm?

The ethical principle that involves preventing harm is nonmaleficence. This principle emphasizes the importance of avoiding actions that could cause harm to individuals. In the context of healthcare and patient experience, it highlights the responsibility of healthcare providers to ensure that their interventions or lack thereof do not result in injury or suffering to patients. This concept is fundamental in guiding clinical practice, as the obligation to “do no harm” is a core tenet that influences the decisions made about treatment and care. By prioritizing nonmaleficence, healthcare professionals strive to enhance patient safety and foster trust in the healthcare system.

Autonomy, while crucial, focuses on the patient's right to make informed decisions about their own care. Beneficence relates to actions that promote the well-being of patients, advocating for positive outcomes rather than merely preventing harm. Justice concerns fairness in healthcare delivery and ensures equitable access to resources and treatment. Each of these principles plays a significant role in ethical decision-making, but nonmaleficence specifically directs attention to the prevention of harm as a primary concern.