Medical Ethics
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Use proven strategies when conflicts arise over withdrawing futile treatments
Conflict surrounding withdrawal of futile treatments is one of the most common reasons for ethics consults being called.
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Are consultants called the “ethics police?” What’s behind clinicians’ attitudes
At times, providers react negatively to the involvement of ethics; “ethics police” is an often-used derogatory term reflecting this attitude.
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Report: Bioethics programs’ reproductive education doesn’t reflect needs of practicing OB/GYNs
Researchers conducted parallel surveys of directors of graduate bioethics training programs and obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) in order to learn whether reproductive health education in bioethics programs reflected real-life concerns for practicing physicians.
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“Don’t worry about the cost” doesn’t reflect patients’ reality
"Don’t worry about the cost. All that matters is getting you well.” Well-meaning physicians frequently say this, but in fact, patients have good reason for wanting to know what care will cost them.
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Ethical controversy erupts over minors’ autonomy
In the controversial “Cassandra C” case, a 17-year old Connecticut girl diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma was ordered by the state Supreme Court to undergo chemotherapy against her will. The girl refused further treatment after undergoing surgery to remove a lymph node, but as of press time is being kept in a hospital room under court order.
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Communicating with patients encouraged
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has launched an initiative with the Ad Council to encourage clinicians and patients to engage in effective two-way communication to ensure safer care and better health outcomes. -
Education, follow-up reduce readmissions
A pilot project providing coaching and follow up for heart failure (HF) patients who are readmitted frequently resulted in a 50% drop in the readmission rate at Indiana University (IU) Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, IN. -
Wellness a winner for hospitals, HCWs
Almost six years ago, OhioHealth in Columbus began to face up to a problem: Many employees at the multi-hospital system in central Ohio were unhealthy. They were smokers, overweight, physically inactive, stressed out. -
A look at the top 10 hazardous industries
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these industries had the highest rates of work-related injury and illness in the United States in 2010: -
New spotless spotlight shines on EVS workers
Cleaning patient's rooms may not seem like the most important job in the hospital. But environmental service workers save lives in their own way by preventing the spread of infections. A new spotlight on their role may boost the resources, communication and training focused on this group of workers.