If you face an end-of-life decision while your care recipient is hospitalized or resides in a nursing home, you can ask for the assistance of the facility’s Ethics Committee.
Many hospitals and nursing homes have created such a committee to assist both health care professionals and family members with moral, ethical and legal decisions involving the treatment and care of patients. The committees typically consist of physicians, social workers, nurses and other health care professionals. The committees are available as needed and can be called to consult a case by either a health care professional or a family member.
Ethic committees can be particularly helpful when family members disagree about an end-of-life decision. The ethics committee can act as a mediator, helping family members to communicate effectively during an emotional and trying time. The committee also can help if family members find themselves at odds with physicians or other health care professionals as to what is the best course of treatment for a terminal patient.
Resources:
Willing but Waiting: Hospital Ethics Committees
