Ethics Committee Today's healthcare environment and technology creates opportunities for patient care to be in conflict with different moral points of view and individual values. At Nevada Regional Medical Center, we desire to create a process to analyze and respond to those situations where ethical conflict exists. The Ethics Committe was formed in order to provide a forum for analyzing and responding to situations where moral conflict involving patient care has been identified. Committee members include: Performance Improvement Administrative Officer Physician Representative Chief Nursing Officer Social Services Supervisor NRMC Chaplain Ethical issues involving a patient will include the previously named members and, by invitation of the patient if possible, one family representative familiar with the patient such as power of attorney, next of kin, significant other, etc. The Committee meets at least bi-annually to review facility documents and policies. They also meet as necessary to discuss any ethical concerns as they arise. When an ethical dilemma is identified, it may be brought to the Ethics Committee by any member of hospital staff. Ethical Dilemmas can be identified with the following four major criteria and related questions: Feelings: Does the issue cause you to feel uncomfortable? Equity: Would the outcome of the decision be fair to all involved? Emotion: Is emotion overruling rational decision making? Legality: Will the decision result in violation of any law? When called to act upon an ethical concern, the committee will meet and cover the following agenda: Collect data and establish facts. Identifiy all major options. Evaluate options according to the values and principles involved. Identify ethical conflicts and attempt to set priorities. Select the option which can be best justified. Re-evaluate the decision after it is acted upon. Refer to appropriate Medical Staff Committee for peer review. To download an Advanced Directive form, click here. To download the Social Services Bereavement Guide, click here. For questions or concerns, please call NRMC Social Services at (417) 448-3686. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.