Ethics Consultation
Many of today's health care decisions are very complex. They deal with questions of life and death and the quality of life. Such decisions may be complicated when the patient is not able to make his or her wishes known at the time decisions must be made. Family members who have responsibility for such decisions may be confused about the effects of their decisions.
The hospital's Ethics Committee provides consultation services to help a patient or family deal with such concerns. The Ethics Consult Team assists patients, families and hospital staff in talking about an appropriate plan of care. The role of the Consult Team is advisory only; the team does not judge or make decisions. None of the parties involved is bound by the suggestions or opinions discussed at the team consult. The consultation is intended to help clarify issues for those involved and to help them move on to making decisions.
Anyone directly involved with a patient can seek a consultation on the patient's behalf. This includes the patient, family members, physicians, the nurses caring for the patient and other members of the patient's health care team.
