For more than 20 years, the BWH Ethics Committee has met to discuss ethical issues, recommend policy and encourage education of clinicians. Participating on the committee are clinicians from all areas of the hospital, including nurses.
Committee participants from Nursing include Diane Conboy, (NEED AREA), Connie Fleming, OR, Bonnie Grady, (NEED AREA), Gabriele Harrison, NICU, Carolyn Hayes, Nursing Research, and Joyce Levy, Radiation Oncology.
According to Martha Jurchak, RN, PhD, assistant director, Ethics Service, the five nurses bring an essential perspective to the Ethics Committee discussions. The Nursing input includes a holistic focus on the patient and his or her family, the importance of not losing the patient to the “numbers,” and joining with other team members to advocate for the patient.
Committee participation also brings about an appreciation for the perspectives of other disciplines’. “I have learned a great deal about the varied thoughts and obligations providers have about quality of life issues,” said Tracey.
To find out more about the Ethics Committee or more about what services are provided by BWH’s Ethics Service, call ext. 2-8590 or page beeper18590.