Medical Ethics Advisor – February 1, 2018
February 1, 2018
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Ethics of Unilateral DNR Orders: Physicians Are Evenly Divided
Physicians are evenly divided as to whether unilateral do not resuscitate orders — decisions about resuscitation made by doctors without patient or surrogate consent — are appropriate, found a recent study.
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‘Ethical Obligation to Go Further’ if Patients Are Nonadherent for Financial Reasons
Some patients cannot afford recommended care because of higher out-of-pocket costs due in part to a surge in high-deductible plans.
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Unique Informed Consent Challenges if Research Participant Is Incarcerated
Informed consent for research involving incarcerated people presents multiple unique ethical challenges for investigators.
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Initiative’s Goal: To Honor Seriously Ill Patients’ Wishes
The Veterans Health Administration's Life-Sustaining Treatment Decisions Initiative was designed to ensure that the goals, values, and life-sustaining treatment decisions of patients with serious illness are elicited, documented, and honored.
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Emotional Support for Surrogates Linked to Better Decisions
Emotional support is important, and not only for surrogates’ psychological well-being: It’s also linked to the quality of their decision-making, found a recent study.
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‘Mere Presence’ of Ethicist Can Encourage Nursing Participation
At some hospitals, ethics consultations are viewed as clinical orders and can only be requested by physicians. Many nurses are eager for ethics advice, but they’re not always comfortable raising a concern on their own.