What parts of the NASW Code of Ethics seem relevant for Diana in this case?

Question

While working as a medical social worker at Holland Community Hospital, Diana Howard, BSW, received a referral to coordinate home health services for patient Joshua Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell had been admitted to the hospital repeatedly after failing to make use of home health services set up for him in the past. In order for Mr. Mitchell to be released from the hospital he had to have a discharge plan from Diana. However, Diana was unsure what course to take as the medical staff pushed for his release and Diana searched for a way to provide services that Mr. Mitchell would use.

Answer 1

The NASW Code of Ethics identifies values, ethical principles, and ethical standards related to the role a social worker should play in situations with involuntary clients. The values and ethical principles emphasized in this case include:
• Service; social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems.
• Dignity and worth of the person; social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person;
• Importance of human relationships; social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships.
• Integrity; social workers behave in a trustworthy manner.
Relevant standards include the following:
• 1.01 Commitment to Clients-- “Social workers’ primary responsibility is to promote the well-being of clients. In general, clients’ interests are primary.”
• 1.02 Self Determination-- “Social workers respect and promote the right of clients to self-determination and assist clients in their efforts to identify and clarify their goals. Social workers may limit client’s right to self-determination when, in the social workers’ professional judgment, clients’ actions or potential actions pose a serious, foreseeable, and imminent risk to themselves or others.”
• 1.14 Clients Who Lack Decision-Making Capacity-- “When social workers act on behalf of clients who lack the capacity to make informed decisions, social workers should take reasonable steps to safeguard the interests and rights of those clients.”