Ethics Committee
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 "Sometimes families and patients face difficult decisions regarding healthcare. While these matters are best discussed with your doctor, differences of opinion can exist and are often difficult to resolve. The A.O. Fox Hospital Ethics Committee can help.
The Ethics Committee is composed of physicians, nurses, social workers, administrators, clergy, and representatives for the community with experience and training in ethics. The committee meets periodically to consider matters of ethics involving patients. families and the staff of A.O. Fox Hospital.
What Is An Ethics Consultation?

An Ethics Consultation provides information and advice regarding the ethical considerations that pertain to a healthcare situation or decision. An Ethics Consultation may be requested by anyone on the healthcare team including patients, family, or staff. However, before an Ethics   Consultation is requeted, you should attempt to obtain information or resaolve issues through discussions with your attending physician, hospital staff, or hospital administration.

Here are some situations where an Ethics Consultation may be helpful"

  • Questions about the withdrawal of life support (breathing machines)
  • Questions about whether or not a Do-Not- Resuscitate (DNR) order should be written
  • Questions about when a patient or family can or cannot refuse treatment
  • Questions about who has the right to make medical decisions..

If an Ethics Consultation is requested, the Ethics Officer will review the case and, if necesssary, discuss the issues with the concerned parties. If indicated, three members of the Ethics Committee will perform the consultation -  to ensure a careful, well rounded evaluation of the matter. The consultation will take place within three working days. The Ethics Committee reviews all consultation cases on a retrospective basis.

The Ethics Comittee cannot decide for you, nor will it lead you to a decision. It can, however, help all the parties involved to better understand the legal, ethical. and moral dimensions of the questions and can help participants to reach decisions which are acceptable to all involved.