Ethics Review - Issue 4 Volume 2 - May 2004

How Do I Consult The Ethics Team?

The Ethics Team is prepared to meet to discuss specific clinical ethical issues. Hospital staff, patients and families who have concerns or need clarification about ethical aspects of patient care may consult the committee.

Contact one of the following members:

Dr. Jaro Kotalik

Email: jkotalik@tbaytel.net

(807) 343-8126

S Hamilton

Email: hamiltos@tbh.net

(807) 684-6012

P Lee

Email: leep@tbh.net

(807) 684-6028

New Members Needed

The Ethics Team would like to thank the following members who have contributed so generously to the work of the team:

• Riitta Rossi
• Kay Lacey
• Dr. G. Milne
• Hazel McLean

We welcome expressions of interest from clinical staff members.

The Team meets monthly, on the second Friday of the month, at 0800 hours for ninety minutes. Please contact the Quality Management office at 684-6012 or by e-mail at hamiltos@tbh.net.

Terms of Reference

Purpose

To provide a forum for: the discussion of ethical issues related but not limited to policy/procedure development, education, and clinical ethical discussions: the formulation and communication of recommendations related to clinical ethics to appropriate members of the Hospital community.

Composition

The Ethics Team will be co-chaired by a management and a physician leader and will have a Senior Management liaison. It may be necessary on occasion to invite other individuals in order to obtain input from all relevant groups and provide feedback. The Team will include multidisciplinary/multi-departmental members including: Medical staff, Clinical staff , Management, Support staff, Consumers, External Stake-holders (ie. representatives from Lakehead University Department of Philosophy, the Law Society and the Board of Governors).

Objectives

1. To set annual Team objectives based on feedback from internal and external stake-holders including but not limited to:
    
   • Reviewing and making recommendations regarding policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines having bio-ethical implications.
   • Making recommendations to enhance the process of care and the utilization of services within the defined area.
   • Participating in strategic planning for ethics.
   • Promote, coordinate and assist with continuing education programs related to ethical matters.
   • To evaluate education needs of hospital personnel related to ethical matters.
      
2. To ensure the quality of care by:
    
   • Providing a mechanism for hospital staff, patients and families to identify and discuss ethical issues of importance to the institution.
   • Being available in a consultative capacity on specific ethical cases, by invitation from hospital staff, patients, their families and other parties, as the committee deems appropriate.
   • Recommending changes that improve the quality of care and services delivered.
   • Establishing indicators of quality.
   • Monitoring quality indicators quarterly.
      
3. To provide input into the budgetary process for the area by identifying ethical concerns including the operation of an ethics program.
    
4. To consider and advise on issues referred by Senior Management or the Medical Advisory Committee.
    
5. To ensure compliance with the Canadian Council of Health Services Accreditation Standards.
    
6. To evaluate, at least annually, the overall strengths and weaknesses of the Team’s functioning and develop strategies to deal with identified gaps.

Education Needs Assessment

Please assist the Ethics Team in determining what topics would be most appropriate for future Ethics Roundtable Discussions. Below is a list of topics suggested by participants at previous Roundtable Discussions. Please rate these suggestions using a scale of 1 – 5 where 1 is very poor and 5 is very good. If you have topics to suggest use the blank areas and then rate their appropriateness. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

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