Medical Ethics Advisor – April 1, 2014
April 1, 2014
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Most Americans lack advance directives — but they also report concerns about end-of-life care
Only 26% of 7946 adults surveyed had an advance directive, according to a recent study. Lack of awareness was the most frequently reported reason for not having an advance directive. Most participants reported concerns about end-of-life care. -
Bioethicists set criteria for who can perform clinical ethics consults
A group of bioethicists at New York Presbyterian Hospital implemented a new process to determine who can perform clinical ethics consults. -
Ethical issues of genomics applied to infectious disease
The GUIDE (Genomic Uses in Infectious Disease & Epidemics) project is examining ethical, legal, social, and policy issues involving the application of genomics to prevention and treatment of infectious disease. -
Cast a wide net when obtaining feedback on clinical ethics consults
Feedback on clinical ethics consultations from patients, family, colleagues, and the ethics committee can improve the clinical ethics service and identify systemic problems. -
Guideline committee members have conflicts of interest
Conflicts of interest are common among members of committees that produce clinical practice guidelines for specialty organizations, according to several recent studies. -
Organ donor facility is less costly, more efficient: An "ethical must"
Moving donors from hospitals to a free-standing organ recovery center resulted in significantly reduced surgeon hours, air travel, and cost, according to a recent study which analyzed 915 liver transplants performed from 2001 to 2011.