If an institution does not have an ethics committee, in what order sho

QUESTION

If an institution does not have an ethics committee, in what order should the organizational steps be undertaken to form one?

1. The institution should decide who the members of the committee should be.
2. Members of the committee must write institutional policies about ethics.
3. The committee should set up a meeting schedule and a method to contact them.
4. Members should undergo significant ethics training.
5. The ethics committee should publish education materials on identifying ethical issues.

ANSWER:

Answer: 1, 4, 2, 3, 5

Rationale:
• The institution should decide who the members of the committee should be: The members must be chosen and on board before training and the work of the committee can begin.
• Members of the committee must write institutional policies about ethics: Once training is complete, members of the committee must devise policies that will govern the institution.
• The committee should set up a meeting schedule and a method to contact them: After policies are written, the committee needs to set up a schedule for meetings and how they can best be contacted for ethical consults.
• Members should undergo significant ethics training: Once chosen, members must learn and comprehend the ethical principles applicable in health care situations, and be able to discuss them openly with others.
• The ethics committee should publish education materials on identifying ethical issues: Finally, once meetings are taking place, and policies are written, the committee needs to educate the organization’s staff about identifying ethical issues.