Medical Ethics Advisor – August 1, 2008
August 1, 2008
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The Joint Commission to hospitals: Monitor, correct disruptive behaviors
The Joint Commission in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, on July 9 issued a Sentinel Alert that would require hospitals to establish policies that address, manage and correct what it refers to as "intimidating and disruptive behaviors" by health care professionals in the facility setting. -
Ethicists pen commentary on organ transplantation
Ethicists primarily at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia came together to pen a commentary appearing in June 26, 2008, issue of The New England Journal of Medicine calling for organ transplantation policies that would require potential organ recipients to opt-in or opt-out at the time they are listed for organs as to whether they would accept so-called "non-standard" organs. -
AMA to study financial incentives for organ donors
The American Medical Association in Chicago at its annual meeting in June adopted policy calling for the modification of current law to allow pilot studies on financial incentives for organ donation from people who have died. -
Mass customization discussed for EOL care
As the baby boomers age, medicine is allowing us to live longer, but perhaps sicker, managing chronic disease with medication and replacing parts that have broken down with a combination of medical devices and surgeries. -
AMA issues apology on racial inequality
The American Medical Association (AMA) in Chicago in July issued a formal apology for its past history of racial inequality toward African-American physicians, and it highlighted its current efforts to increase the numbers of minority physicians and their participation in the physician membership organization. -
News Briefs
The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) board of directors has approved what was termed elements of a pilot national system to facilitate kidney paired donations.