Recognizing that Registered Nurses fulfill an integral part in ethical decision making in health care, the Sanford USD Medical Center Nursing Ethics committee members serve as consultants to the nursing practice at the SVHUSDMC through:
Professional support and collaboration
Assistance in decision making
Education
The committee fulfills these purposes by:
Meeting and bringing cases/concerns for review.(A concurrent case needing immediate attention should go directly to Biomedical Ethics Committee and will be directed there.)The confidentiality of all individuals involves is protected. No names, exact locations, identifying numbers or dates, will be given. The group acts as a resource in the review of:
Background information needed
Identifying ethical dilemmas
Identifying agents / decision makers in the case
Outlining choices, and outcomes of each choice
Considering ethical theories, principles and rules
Discussion of alternative resolutions
Act on decision – begin action in order to prevent further problems or to provide direction for addressing the same situation, should it occur again
Evaluate actions taken and opportunities for education
Providing continued education, support and assistance for colleagues by:
Taking resolutions from case presentations back to department to increase awareness
Posting of membership on unit so colleagues can better identify a person to assist with ethical dilemmas and questions
Participation in house – wide educational activities undertaken by the committee on a yearly basis
Leading department’s efforts to maintain JCAHO standards concerning ethical behavior
Chair and chair – elect’s membership on Biomedical Ethics Committee and sharing of resolutions/concerns addressed in the two groups
The Sanford USD Medical Center Nursing Ethics Committee supports Ethics in Action, an annual half-day workshop focused on ethical issues of the bedside caregiver. For more information on the conference contact Ellie Schellinger at (605) 333-6381 or email.