A consult to the Ethics Committee is now available in Epic, under ancillary consults. This consult is available for all clinical roles. When you go to your “Manage Orders” tab, just search for Ethics. In the past, the Ethics Committee was only available for a consult via email, which you can still contact at ethics@valleymed.org. See below for a short FAQ about ethics consults.

FAQ about Ethics Consults

When should I request an ethics consult?

• The case is ethically unusual, unprecedented, or complex
• The case is causing significant moral distress for the patient, family, or care team
• There is ethical disagreement within the care team or within the patient/family relationship that has not been resolved through typical interventions
• A patient, family member, or the care team needs help in navigating an ethically significant decision that needs to be made

What should I include in the Ethics Consult order?

• Summary of the ethical conflict/question being raised
• Who is requesting the consult and how they can be easily contacted

What is the process after I place an Ethics Consult order?

• An ethics consultant will reach out to you to gather more information about the consult and the ethical question at hand within one business day, Monday-Friday.
• The consultant will gather information from you, the chart, other members of the care team, as well as patients and family members as appropriate
• The consultant will provide ethical analysis using moral theories and reasoning
• The consultant will contact you to make a recommendation about the morally acceptable options—they will not give a treatment decision. They will also document an ethics consult note with the ethical analysis, as well as the recommendation. This note will have a note type label “Ethics Consult.”

Who is on the Ethics Committee?

• The Ethics Committee is a multidisciplinary committee that is composed to ensure diverse perspectives. It includes members from administration, Legal & Risk, Nursing, Medicine, Social Work, as well as the community.
• If you are interested in participating as a member of the Ethics Committee and would like more information, you can email ethics@valleymed.org.

When is the Ethics Committee available?

Ethics consultation is currently available Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM, and is not available on observed holidays. Responses to ethics consult orders can be expected within one business day.