when, even under emotionally
charged conditions, the child
needs the parent(s) to make quick,
calm decisions.
cause emotions to escalate to the
point when an external influence
is required. When that occurs,
persons involved with the care
of a hospitalized patient can
solicit assistance from persons,
other than those directly associ-
ated with the patient's care, who
are designated to address issues
of ethical patient treatment. In
many hospitals, this is an ethics
committee specifically trained to
mediate emotional discussion and
facilitate calm, rational decision
making. The parameters for such
discussion include respectful
dialogue, critical analysis of
the situation, and standards of
conduct that maintain the highest
commitment to patient care.
mediators are likely to be physi-
cians, nurses, social workers,
pastoral caregivers as well as
persons versed in clinical ethics,
law, pain management, patient
relations, risk management, and
dietetics.
family, staff, medical facility,
and the community, is a major
challenge, especially when the
patient -- whether newborn or
aged -- is unable to communicate
on his or her own behalf.
but if those are not known, they
would ask, `What would most
people in this situation think is
appropriate?' Then, they can
proceed to provide maximum
treatment or comfort care or
something in between. This can
be a tough decision, and every
case is unique."
principles -- respect, beneficence
and nonmaleficence, and justice
-- become the pillar upon which
ethical decisions can best be made.
and death traumas. They also
apply to the entire cycle of human
existence at any age. They apply
to daily living, to personal and
professional relationships, to how
we treat ourselves and our bodies.
It's just that these principles
become so much more apparent
and paramount in those times
when we need them the most.