Ethics Consultation
When you or a loved one’s medical condition raises complex questions about the best course of treatment, reach out to the Cone Health Ethics Committee for help assessing your options and making a decision.
When Should I Call the Ethics Committee?
Contact the ethics committee anytime you have an unresolved ethical concern regarding medical treatment. Get help with questions such as:
- Who is authorized to make health care decisions for a patient?
- How do treatment options align with my or my loved one’s values and religious beliefs?
- Should I start, continue, or end life-sustaining treatments, such as long-term feeding tubes or mechanical ventilation?
What to Expect During an Ethics Consultation
During an ethics consultation, members of the Cone Health Ethics Committee will listen to your concerns, help you understand your options, facilitate communication and offer advice. The final decision regarding health care remains with the patient, family and health care providers.
Committee members may later use the issues and concerns you express to help develop new hospital policies.
Ethics Committee
You’ll benefit from the perspectives and knowledge of a wide range of professionals. The Cone Health Ethics Committee includes:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Social workers
- Spiritual care professionals
- Behavioral health representatives
- University professors
- Hospital administrators
- Independent attorney
