The Hospital Ethics Committee Is Here To Assist You

During a hospitalization, the patient, family, and the healthcare team may face heart-wrenching circumstances and decisions. Our hospital, like other hospitals in the nation, has resources to assist and support patients, families, and the health care team with these difficult decisions.

The Hospital Ethics Committee is one such resource. Patients, families, and health care team members are welcome to call upon the Hospital Ethics Committee for consultation and assistance.

The Hospital Ethics Committee consultation strives to facilitate communication between the patient, family, and the health care team. One benefit of the ethics consultation is to provide support to patients and families who are facing these difficult choices, while also being a resource to assist the members of the health care team.  

During the ethics consultation, medical, emotional, and social issues are explored. The Hospital Ethics Committee assists the family and the health care team in exploring alternatives for treatment and care.

Joining the family during the consultation will be physicians, nurses, care coordinators, and chaplains. On occasion, a hospital attorney may attend. The family is encouraged to invite additional persons who provide comfort, support, and information to them. At all times, patient confidentiality is observed.

If you have questions, please contact the Presbyterian Hospital Ethics Committee through one of the following members:

LeeAnne Smith
Ethics Committee Coordinator
841-1227
Lsmith2@phs.org

Chaplain Bill Dorman
Ethics Committee Member
841-1091
WDorman@phs.org

Dale Erickson, MD
Ethics Committee Chair
366-1141
Drerick2@cs.com

You may also dial the hospital operator "0" and page the on-call Chaplain who is available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.