To be a nurse involves the assumption of ethical responsibility in all areas of practice. Infection control practice is a nursing specialty which exemplifies two ethical issues: the nurse's duty or moral obligation for patient advocacy and the right of patients to safe care. Individual moral responsibility is an important issue for the nurse epidemiologist because epidemiologic fact-finding provides information that may present ethical problems as well as suggest solutions. This paper discusses ethical dilemmas arising in infection control practice, as illustrated by three actual situations.In the course of practice, questions may arise concerning the ethical responsibilities of a nurse epidemiologist to provide facts that may be used in cases of dispute. This discussion shall be limited to institutionally acquired or nosocomial infections.

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Death has become a high-tech issue with the locus not in the home but in an institution. The value and quality of life is viewed from several vantage points.