Ethics for World Class Care Mark S. Ellingson, MDiv, BCC Pastoral Services Department

What is a Chaplain? A. A pastor who can’t hack it in the parish anymore. B. A pastor who couldn’t find a church. C. Someone who prays with patients who want it. D. A clinician trained in Spiritual Assessment and Spiritual Support

If nothing else a Chaplain is a reminder that a patient is more than the sum of their vital signs and diagnosis.

High quality healthcare comes from a human connection.

“We need to draw the line on unethical behavior “We need to draw the line on unethical behavior. But let’s draw it with an Etch-a-Sketch and don’t be afraid to shake it a little.”

What is Ethics? What are Morals? What are Values?

“Your x-ray showed a broken rib, but we fixed it with Photoshop.”

Autonomy Nonmaleficence Fidelity Justice Beneficence

Ethics is central to good Medical Care. Patients treated unethically may get better but won’t come back.

How to DO Ethics. Don’t tolerate unethical behavior from self or others. Discuss Ethics in your Department. Sort out the issues – ethics, communication, legal … Factor in Diversity. We aren’t all the same! Work it out among each other when possible. Involve the Ethics Committee (or create one) Ethics Consult – so everyone can agree the right thing was done Reflect, don’t React Learn and Grow