Some Medical Situations
Require Ethical Decisions
Advances in medical technology and
treatment can create difficult decision-
making situations for patients,
their families and caregivers.
The
Rhode Island Hospital Ethics
Committee can provide guidance to
individuals faced with complex decisions,
such as continuing life-sustaining
treatment or interpreting a living will.
In these situations, the ethical implications
(the “rightness” or “wrongness”)
of choosing certain treatments
may need to be examined.
If you are unable to take part in the
decision-making process, your family
or caregiver may find it extremely
difficult to make these decisions on
your behalf.
There are a number of knowledgeable
and caring hospital staff members
with whom you, your family
or your caregiver can talk to sort
out the ethical questions in these
situations. Doctors, nurses and other
hospital staff such as clinical
social workers and chaplains
are always available to
discuss your concerns and
questions. If, after much
thought and discussion, you
are unable to make a decision,
our ethics committee
is here to listen to you and provide
additional support and direction.
We Are Here to Help You
In such cases, the ethics committee
is available to consult with you, your
family, your agent or
authorized representative,
or your doctor.
The Rhode Island
Hospital Ethics
Committee is a group
of community and
hospital professionals
who provide consultation
and advice regarding the ethical
aspects of a patient’s care.There is
no charge for meeting with the
Ethics Committee.
The committee of professionals
from various fields includes doctors,
nurses, chaplains, an ethicist, a
lawyer, a community representative,
a social worker, a hospital trustee
and a senior administrator.
Committee members have training
in medical ethics and also have
experience in helping patients, their
families and their doctors with difficult
questions that may arise during
a patient’s treatment.
