When Decisions Are Hard To Make...

Today, decisions that must be about health care are sometimes complicated. There may be a time when you are called upon to make a difficult and painful choice about health care. If this happens, you may feel the need to get help in making the decision.

Your health care team will support your right to decide about care for yourself or a loved one and will provide you with information needed to help make these decisions. Sometimes, even with this help, a decision cannot be made or there may be conflicts within the family or with the doctor. If this happens, you can get help from the Medical Center Ethics Committee.

What Is An Ethics Committee?

The Ethics Committee is a group of people who meet on a regular basis to discuss medical ethics as they relate to our work here at the Medical Center. The Clinical Consultation Committee is made up of people on the Ethics Committee who have experience or expertise in a wide variety of areas related to health care. The hospital has established this committee to provide counseling, discussion, and advice regarding the ethics of a patient's care. The committee includes chaplains, physicians, nurses, social workers, and others. Committee members have practical experience in helping patients and families with difficult questions. If you feel that you could benefit from having the committee assist you in making a decision, they are prepared to listen and to respond.

How Can The Ethics Committee Help You To Deal With Your Concerns?

Any concern related to health care or health care decisions may be brought to the Consultation Committee. End of life decision making such as responding to living wills, withdrawing medical support and resuscitation of a terminally ill patient are questions the committee can assist in resolving. Choices regarding medical care that are affected by your religious beliefs or culture are others.

If you ask for the committee's help, it will:

• Listen to your problems
• Gather information about your case so all factors are considered
• Evaluate the ethical questions about your treatment
• Provide guidance to you and your family regarding ethical principles and choices that might be made about your treatment

The committee will not:

• Make decisions for you
• Force any decision upon you
• Tell your doctor what to do

If I Would Like Help, How Do I Get In Touch With The Ethics Committee?

Any concern about health care decisions regarding a patient at The Medical Center may be brought to the committee by a patient, a patient's family, or by a member of the health care team such as the doctor or nurse involved in the patient's care. If you want more information about the Ethics Committee and how it works, you may call the Patient Relations Department at 713-2273. A patient relations representative will answer your questions.

If you have an urgent need to speak with a member of the Consultation Committee to discuss a problem or concern after 5 p.m., call the Physician Assistance Line (PAL) and ask to speak with the Ethics Committee representative on call. The PAL operator will ask for a number where you can be reached and the Ethics Committee representative will return your call. The PAL line telephone number is 716-7654.

There is no cost to you for using the services of the Ethics Committee. The Medical Center is committed to providing you with the best care possible and the information you need to help during difficult times. All talks between you and representatives of the Ethics Committee are private and confidential.