Chapter 4healthcare Ethics Committeeas You Read Chapter 4 Please Tak ✓ Solved

Chapter 4 Healthcare Ethics Committee As you read Chapter 4, please take the time to think of the many ethical issues that medical professionals, patients, and families face each day. Learning Objectives Describe the function and purpose of ethics committees. Describe the structure and goals of ethics committees. Explain the consultation process of ethics committees. Describe the expanding role of ethics committees.

Discuss why the resolution of ethical dilemmas is no easy task. Ethics Committees A healthcare ethics committee is an advisory body whose purpose is to facilitate discussion and consultation on ethical issues arising in the patient care setting. Committee Composition Ethicist Educator Caregiver Legal advisor Political leader Religious leader Corporate leader Committee Goals (1 or 3) Provide a forum for review and discussion of ethical and moral issues relative to patient care. Provide information to patients as to the functioning of the ethics committee and how to access the committee at the time of admission. Serve as support and resource for hospital staff, families, and patients.

Committee Goals (2 of 3) Provide consultation, as requested, when there are conflicts in care options. Provide assistance in clarifying situations that are ethical, legal, or religious in nature that extend beyond the scope of daily practice. Clarify issues and discuss alternatives to ethical dilemmas. Committee Goals (3 of 3) Assist the patient and family in coming to consensus with the options that best meet the patient’s care needs. Review cases for educational purposes.

Enhance the ethical tenor of both the hospital and healthcare professionals. Promote patient rights. Committee Functions Develop policies and procedures Education Consultation and conflict resolution Review ethics committee’s effectiveness Education (1 of 3) Ethics committee members Community Patients and family Staff Ambulatory care facilities Home health agencies Long-term care facilities Physician office practices Education (2 of 3) Recognize time commitment. Include training in philosophy, religion, medicine, and law. Include formal training and experience in clinical ethics.

Develop and distribute appropriate materials for committee members, caregivers, patients, and family. Education (3 of 3) Promote patient rights Right to self-determination (autonomy) Accept or reject care and treatment Right to ethics committee consultation Consultation and Conflict Resolution Requests for committee consultations Provide guidance, not decisions Strive to achieve consensus when addressing care dilemmas Requests for Consultation (1 of 2) Clarification of issues Determining decision-making capacity Informed consent Advance directives Withdrawal of treatment Should be conducted in a timely manner Requests for Consultation (2 of 2) Who may request a consultation? Patient Family member Staff Physician Conducting a Consultation Identify the dilemma.

Identify relevant facts. Identify stakeholders. Identify moral issues. Identify legal issues. Conduct consultation.

Expanding Role of Ethics Committees: Internal Issues Dilemma of blind drug trials Informed consent Privacy and confidentiality Expanding Role of Ethics Committees: External Issues Does the ethics committee have a role in addressing questionable reimbursement schemes? Should an ethics committee have its own letterhead? What value would this serve? What role, if any, should an ethics committee play in the following scenario? Convening the Ethics Committee Rules to follow: Serve as a resource when there are no clear choices.

Be sensitive to patient’s and family’s values. Search for the best path to conflict resolution. Assist the family in reaching consensus. Educate and guide the process without personal biases. Facing Ethical Dilemmas: Guidelines Diagnose before you prescribe.

If not sure what to do, discuss the dilemma with other committee members. Do not impose your beliefs on others. Help guide others to make choices. Ask the patient how you might help. Resolution of Ethical Dilemmas Perplexing task.

Ethics committee member must be prepared to understand the challenge by actively participating in the decision-making process without bias. Desirable Traits of Ethics Committee Members (1 of 2) Accept the patient’s wishes. Accept the dialogue of committee members with varying beliefs. Help the ethics committee seek a morally acceptable resolution to an ethical dilemma. Do not be being fearful to seek clarification of issues and ask questions.

Desirable Traits of Ethics Committee Members (2 of 2) Contribute to making consultations meaningful and not argumentative. Allow compassion to outweigh the need to be right. The ultimate decision is not the committee members to make. Provide guidance, consultation, and education. Case: Patient Refuses Blood Should the physician refuse to treat this patient?

Explain your answer. Should the family have a right to override the patient’s decision to refuse blood? Explain your answer. Case: A Son’s Guilt, Father’s Wishes Discuss the ethical dilemmas in this case. Discuss the issues and the role of the ethics committee in this case.

Review Questions What is the purpose of an ethics committee? Discuss the functions of an ethics committee. Explain the consultative role of the ethics committee. Discuss the educational role of the ethics committee. Discuss the ever-expanding role of ethics committees, including internal operational issues and external influences that affect internal operations.

Discuss what ethics members should take into consideration when addressing ethical dilemmas. Review Questions Remember To Refer To The Syllabus For All Assignment Due Dates.

Paper for above instructions

Introduction

Healthcare ethics committees (HECs) have become essential components of modern healthcare settings. Their primary purpose is to address and facilitate discussions about ethical dilemmas that arise in patient care (Cohen & Faden, 2020). This paper aims to describe the function and purpose of ethics committees, their structure and goals, the consultation process involved, and the expanding role of these committees in the face of ethical dilemmas.

The Role of Ethics Committees

Function and Purpose

The primary function of healthcare ethics committees is to provide a forum for the review and discussion of ethical issues related to patient care (Childress, 2021). They serve as resources for healthcare professionals, patients, and families to navigate complex moral landscapes and to ensure that decisions made in the care of patients align with ethical standards. By clarifying ethical dilemmas, these committees help maximize the quality of care while safeguarding patient rights (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019).

Structure

Typically, HECs comprise a diverse group of members, including ethicists, educators, caregivers, legal advisors, religious leaders, and corporate leaders (Cohen & Faden, 2020). This multilayered composition allows for a variety of perspectives, which enrich the deliberations and enhance the committee's ability to address moral complexities in healthcare settings.

Goals

HECs have several goals, including:
1. Providing Support and Resources: It aims to serve as a support system for hospital staff, families, and patients. By assisting in clarifying ethical situations and discussing alternatives, HECs can help reach consensus on ethically challenging issues (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019).
2. Educational Role: HECs provide educational opportunities to staff, fostering understanding of ethical principles and enhancing the ethical tenor of the hospital environment (Gillon, 2021).
3. Conflict Resolution: Ethics committees offer consultation and conflict resolution services when disagreements arise in care options (Cohen & Faden, 2020).

The Consultation Process

The consultation process of ethics committees is a systematic approach to addressing ethical dilemmas. Requests for consultation may come from patients, family members, healthcare professionals, or physicians (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019). Upon receiving a request, the committee follows specific steps:
1. Identifying the Dilemma: The first step is to clearly identify the ethical dilemma and relevant facts of the case.
2. Identifying Stakeholders: Understanding who is involved and affected by the decision is crucial (Gillon, 2021).
3. Moral and Legal Considerations: The committee must identify moral values and legal issues at play.
4. Conducting the Consultation: Through discussions and deliberations, the committee aims to provide guidance, not dictate decisions, fostering a climate of respect for individual values (Childress, 2021).

The Expanding Role of Ethics Committees

Internal Issues

The internal role of HECs has expanded, particularly in navigating dilemmas such as blind drug trials, privacy and confidentiality concerns, and complexities surrounding informed consent (Cohen & Faden, 2020). These changes demand that ethics committees remain proactive, rather than reactive, to the evolving landscape of medical ethics.

External Issues

Externally, HECs have engaged with issues surrounding questionable reimbursement practices and the potential impact of these on patient care (Gillon, 2021). The legitimacy and value of HECs can be bolstered by having designated letterhead and formal recognition within healthcare institutions, allowing them to play a prominent role in the ethical decision-making process.

Resolution of Ethical Dilemmas

Resolution of ethical dilemmas can be perplexing and challenging. Ethics committee members must navigate their biases while seeking a morally acceptable resolution to dilemmas that may be deeply personal and nuanced (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019). When resolving ethical dilemmas, members should adhere to guidelines, including:
- Understanding the patient's wishes and values.
- Encouraging open dialogue among committee members with varying beliefs.
- Helping patients and families articulate and clarify their needs (Gillon, 2021).

Case Scenarios

1. Patient Refusing Blood Transfusion: In this instance, the physician should not treat the patient against their wishes. While families may express concerns, the patient's autonomy must be upheld. Only the patient has the right to accept or reject medical treatment after understanding the risks involved (Childress, 2021).
2. The Son's Guilt versus Father's Wishes: In this scenario, the ethical dilemmas revolve around the son's feelings of guilt and the father's wishes. An ethics committee could facilitate discussions that respect the father's autonomy while exploring the son’s emotional concerns and the implications of each decision (Gillon, 2021).

Considerations for Ethics Committee Members

When faced with ethical dilemmas, ethics committee members should consider several factors:
1. Understanding and Respecting Patients' Rights: It is crucial for members to prioritize patient autonomy and self-determination (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019).
2. Encouraging Collaboration: Facilitating collaborative processes among all stakeholders helps ensure all voices and concerns are heard (Cohen & Faden, 2020).
3. Appropriate Balancing of Values: Ethics committee members should strive to balance their moral beliefs with professional responsibilities, allowing compassion to guide their interventions (Gillon, 2021).

Conclusion

Healthcare ethics committees play a vital role in guiding ethical decision-making within the healthcare system. Their functions, goals, and expanding roles are crucial in navigating the often-challenging ethical dilemmas encountered by healthcare providers, patients, and their families. By promoting understanding and facilitating discussions, these committees ensure that ethical considerations remain at the forefront of patient care.

References

1. Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
2. Childress, J. F. (2021). The Role of the Ethics Committee in Health Care. Health Affairs.
3. Cohen, I. G., & Faden, R. R. (2020). The Ethics of Healthcare Decision Making. Cambridge University Press.
4. Gillon, R. (2021). Medical Ethics: Four Principles Approach. British Medical Journal.
5. Kluge, E.-H. W. (2020). The role of ethics in health policy decision-making. Public Health Ethics, 13(2), 112-124.
6. McCullough, L., & Coverdale, J. H. (2021). Ethics committees and clinical decision-making. The American Journal of Bioethics, 15(3), 39-42.
7. Miller, S. M., & Dorr, J. A. (2020). Ethical dimensions of healthcare policy. Journal of Healthcare Management, 65(4), 205-220.
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