Ethics Consultation Service Process

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the ECS is to assist involved parties in addressing uncertainty or conflict regarding ethical issues that emerge in healthcare.

 Members will try to help in the following ways:

1. Clarifying relevant concepts (e.g. confidentiality, privacy, informed consent, best interest).

2. Clarifying related issues (e.g., implications of societal values, law, ethics, and institutional policy).

3. Helping to identify and build a range of morally acceptable options within the context.

4. Assisting involved individuals in clarifying their own values.

If requested, the ECS will take a more active role by:

1. Gathering relevant data (through discussions with involved parties, examinations of medical records or other relevant documents, etc).

2. Ensuring the opportunity to have dialogue with involved parties.