What kind of training do new members have or receive when they first join your ethics committee or consultation service?

Can your bedside staff members recognize ethical issues and do they discuss them with your ethics consultant or committee members?

Health care institutions are increasingly struggling with complex ethical issues involving patient services. To train their staff and provide better resolution of ethical issues, and to reduce the incidence of medical malpractice claims, we recommend an educational effort that will enhance the skills of your ethics committee and their ability to identify and resolve ethical dilemmas.  A well working ethical program:

• significantly reduces the chances of medical mal practice
• saves money by reducing provision of unnecessary, or wasteful treatment
• enhances risk management
• improves quality of patient care and patient satisfaction
• improves end of life care
• protects patients' and providers' rights
• promotes staff retention by boosting employee morale

The Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) requires that each hospital have a mechanism to deal with ethical issues arising in patient care. The requirements specify that institutions must safeguard the rights of patients in a variety of areas, including advance directives, surrogate decision-making, do-not-resuscitate orders (DNR), confidentiality, informed consent, and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment.  JCAHO further expects hospitals to provide education to caregivers and patients on ethical issues in health care.

The Clinical Medical Ethics On-Site Education Program provides an individualized, custom designed program written to meet your ethics educational needs. The implemented program will allow participation in multiple, topic based classes and discussion sessions, which present medical ethical theory related to relevant patient issues in current practice.

The Clinical Medical Ethics On-Site Education Program will:

• Educate your Hospital Ethics Committee Members
• Educate those who have direct impact on patient care
• Stimulate all participants to think about everyday patient situations from a critical, analytical framework
• Provide ethical theory and its application to all clinical situations raised in the discussions
• Provide a safe environment for all members to come together to participate in discussions around cases and issues which raise troubling ethical questions and concerns
• Infuse your organizational structure with consideration and implementation of ethical theory
• Raise the standard of patient care and/or the care of children and families

Participation in The Clinical Medical Ethics On-Site Education Program is the easiest, most cost-effective access to outstanding information to meet those current needs, as well as to adapt to future challenges.

If your health care institution is interested in learning more about how we can help you meet the clinical medical ethics education needs of your ethics committee, consultants and staff, please contact us.