Ethics & Patient Rights
Making Difficult Decisions
 Advances in medical technology and treatment can create difficult
decision making situations for patients, their families and caregivers.
Your 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 you, your family or caregiver can talk with to sort out the
ethical questions in these situations. Doctors, nurses and other hospital
staff members, such as social workers, are always available to discuss your concerns
and questions. If, after much thought and discussion, you are unable to
make a decision the ethics committee is available to listen to you and provide
additional support and direction.
The hospital Ethics
Committee offers guidance and support to patients, families and
caregivers in difficult decision making situations.
Find out more:
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