Clinical ethics service
The Clinical Ethics Service provides:
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Ethics case consultations for current clinical cases
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Ethical reviews of past clinical cases
- Facilitated departmental discussions that can foster communication, mediation and practical problem solving
Who can use the clinical ethics service?
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Any RCH, MCRI or University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics staff member
How quickly can the clinical ethics service respond?
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Within 24 - 48 hours
How can I refer a case?
Initial contact with the Clinical Ethics Service can be made by:
- Page Clinical Ethics Consult on 4056, OR
- Via email to catherine.lees@rch.org.au, OR
- Via phone to the Children's Bioethics Centre on 9345 4086 (Wed - Frid ONLY)
If requested, a formal clinical ethics case meeting will be organised. This meeting is attended by the clinical ethicist, the referring clinician, representatives of the multidisciplinary team involved in the patient's care, and members of the Clinical Ethics Response Group. Written notes from the meeting are provided to the referring clinician within 24 hours.
Suggestions for clinical ethics case presentations.
Clinical ethics issues
Areas to consider for case review, education, facilitated discussions or input into policy development:
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Informed consent
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End of life decision making including advanced treatment plans and withdrawal and withholding treatment
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Withholding information from children (children/families rights)
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Children's participation in decision making
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Cultural dissonance/cross cultural care
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Use of interpreters
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Prenatal screening/diagnosis
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Predictive genetic testing including carrier status in minors
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Genetic counseling
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Children's participation in research- competence, opt out consent, children's assent to treatment
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Vaccination practice
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Allocation of resources
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Professional practice- including communication/confidentiality between providers
Resources
- Withholding or Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment- clinical resources
- Withholding or Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment- policy document
- American Academy of Pediatrics Bioethics policy statements
