Topic 3 DQ 1 Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) Provides

Topic 3 Dq 1patient Self Determination Act Psda Provides Patients Th

Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) provides patients the right to actively participate in their care. A patient can have a written legal document or verbal statement voicing what their wishes are. Ethics committees provide ethical consultation when there is a need. They are assigned to consider, debate, study, take action on, or report on ethical issues that arise in patient care (Hajibabee et al., 2016). They are also responsible for educating staff and patients on ethical matters.

Another function of the hospital ethics committee is to revise and review hospital policies and guidelines to simplify their goals and services and review all ethical consults (Hajibabee et al., 2016). When considering an advance directive, the hospital ethics committee will gather all required information and have a discussion with the patient to assure the patient's wishes and the organization's policies are met, and all party's understanding is the same (Hajibabee et al., 2016). Another role of the ethics committee is to intervene when conflicts arise between the advance directive and the wishes of the patient's surrogate. The attending physician should seek assistance from an ethics committee or other appropriate institutional resources (American Medical Association, 2021).

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The relationship between ethics committees and the enforcement of advance directives is central to ensuring that patient autonomy is respected and that medical decisions align with the patient's wishes, particularly when the patient is unable to communicate their preferences. The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) emphasizes patients’ rights to make decisions about their healthcare, including directives such as Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders or appointing surrogates. Ethical committees serve as critical oversight bodies that facilitate adherence to these directives within healthcare settings (Jecker & Schneiderman, 2017).

Ethics committees act as mediators and safeguards in situations where there is a potential conflict between the patient’s expressed wishes and clinical judgment or institutional policies. They provide an ethical framework that supports healthcare providers in honoring advance directives, thereby reinforcing patient autonomy (Pence & Monson, 2017). By carefully reviewing and validating advance directives, these committees help ensure that decisions are consistent with the patient’s values and desires, protecting against unwanted interventions or treatments.

Furthermore, the committee’s role includes resolving conflicts that might emerge between surrogates’ decisions and the documented wishes of the patient. For instance, if a surrogate’s interpretation of the advance directive differs from the documented instructions, the ethics committee can facilitate discussions to clarify the patient’s intentions and mediate disagreements (Hajibabee et al., 2016). This mediation is vital in maintaining the integrity of the patient’s autonomy and upholding ethical standards of care.

The enforcement of advance directives by ethics committees is also supported by their involvement in policy review and staff education. By establishing clear institutional policies aligned with legal and ethical standards, ethics committees help ensure consistent application of advance directives across healthcare teams (Black et al., 2018). Education initiatives further empower staff to recognize and respect advance directives, fostering a culture that prioritizes patient-centered care and respects individual autonomy.

Critically, the relationship between ethics committees and the enforcement of advance directives underscores the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in healthcare. They serve as ethical anchors that balance legal obligations, clinical judgment, patient rights, and family interests. This role is especially pertinent in complex, end-of-life decisions where moral dilemmas frequently occur. Empirical research suggests that institutions with active ethics committees tend to have better adherence to advance directives and fewer conflicts at the bedside (Sulmasy et al., 2020).

In conclusion, ethics committees are vital in upholding the enforceability and interpretation of advance directives within healthcare settings. They ensure that patient autonomy, as outlined in the PSDA, remains central to care decisions, especially in situations involving conflicts or ambiguities. By providing ethical consultation, mediating disputes, and educating staff, these committees help translate legal rights into compassionate, ethically sound clinical practice.

References

• Black, A., Mor, V., & Sutherland, J. (2018). Ethics Committees and the Implementation of Advance Directives. Journal of Medical Ethics, 44(2), 114-119.
• Hajibabee, S., Hosseini, S. M., & Nasrabadi, A. N. (2016). The Role of Ethics Committees in Supporting Patients’ Autonomy: An Iranian Perspective. Nursing Ethics, 23(4), 423-432.
• Jecker, N., & Schneiderman, L. (2017). Respecting Patient Autonomy in Advances Directives. The Journal of Clinical Ethics, 28(3), 232-238.
• Pence, L., & Monson, S. (2017). Ethical Oversight and Respect for Patient Autonomy. Healthcare Ethics Committee Review, 9(1), 20-26.
• Sulmasy, D. J., Kapp, M. B., & Williams, B. R. (2020). The Impact of Ethics Committees on End-of-Life Care and Treatment Decisions. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 23(3), 290-297.