|
What We Do
The Ethics and Human Values Committee is available to provide ethical
consultations. A consultation with the committee can be requested
by a patient, family members, a patient's friends or any health
provider directly involved with a patient's care.
The Ethics and Human Values Committee has monthly
meetings which include:
- ongoing self-education on current ethical issues affecting health
care
- development of educational activities for the communities served
by Carondelet Health
- review and discussion of cases
- review and development of policies regarding possible ethical
concerns, both clinical and organizational.
How We Serve
The committee serves those who need a forum with consultation, discussion,
support and assistance in facing choices or resolving ethical conflicts.
Questions such as "What is the right thing to do?" are
very real questions in these times of increasingly high-tech specialized
medical care. Dilemmas often arise when there are conflicts of values,
obligations and loyalties among patient, family, clinical staff,
nursing home or health care facility.
The Ethics and Human Values Committee acts in its advisory capacity
according to the mission and values of Carondelet Health and the
Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Facilities.
If you wish to discuss any clinical and/or organizational questions
or issues with the Ethics and Human Values Committee, please tell
your doctor, nurse, chaplain, social worker or member of administration.
Following a request, a representative of the committee will meet
with the individual requesting the consultation.
If a formal consultation with the committee is appropriate, either
the whole committee or part of it will be convened. The patient's
family and those health care providers involved in the care of the
patient will be invited. We believe through open and honest discussion
at this meeting, the ethical concerns involved in the care of the
patient can be addressed and satisfactorily resolved.
While the committee does not have decision-making authority, it
can make recommendations regarding the care of the patient.
Who We Are
The Ethics and Human Values Committee is comprised of at least
- two to four physicians
- at least two nurses
- non-clinical hospital staff member
- representative from long-term care facilities
- an administrator
- member of the board of directors or board of counselors
- two representatives from the community
- chaplain
- representative of our home health organization
- philosopher
The committee is advisory in nature. Guiding the deliberations
will be the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health
Facilities.
For St. Joseph Medical Center, call Administration at 816-943-2680.
For St. Mary's Medical Center, call Administration at 816-655-5401.
|
