The Fundamental Objectives Of Modern Ethic Committees

Delivering medical care is a two way street. Families rely on the hospital physicians and the care team to understand their desire for their love ones to receive care that is not biased, or prejudiced in any way. On the other hand, hospitals have a desire for families to understand their guidelines, policies, and laws that guide their efforts in caring for patients. When physicians cannot reach an agreed upon resolution in care between all parties involved (patient/surrogate, caregiver, or clinician) the use of the ethical committee is efficient (University of Washington School of Medicine, 2013). The fundamental objectives of modern ethic committees are; to encourage rights of patients, promote shared decision-making between patients,†¦show more content†¦The Use of the Ethical Committee The use of the ethical committee is to ensure that the code of medical ethics is adhered to at all times by hospitals and the care team. According to George D. Pozgar, (2012), ethics is a p art of philosophy that looks to make known the nature, determinations, defense and the founding principles of moral rules and the systems they comprise (p. 368). There are four pillars to health care; maleficence, beneficence, justice, and autonomy. First, maleficence deals with the care giver not causing the patient harm. Secondly, beneficence deals with showing kindness, compassion, and doing well to help others. Thirdly, autonomy deals with a patient having the sole right to make decisions about his/her medical care. Finally, justice deals the facility being fair in their risks and management when dealing with patients. According to the Patient Self Determination Act of 1990, ethically, and legally a patient has the right to choose their course of medical care. This of course is interpreted as no matter what a family member would like to see as an outcome for the patient, nor what the doctor deems as right; it is the patient’s sole right to determine their fate. This means the patient is responsible for choosing how they desire to spend their last days, continue a course of treatment or discontinue it. All advance directives put in place by the patient are governed by the courts of law and statutory. Each hospital facility