Technical Considerations for Implementation of Tele-Ethics Consultation in the Intensive Care Unit.
Citation: Journal of Clinical Ethics. 29(4):285-290, Winter 2018.PMID: 30605438Institution: MedStar Institute for Innovation | MedStar Washington Hospital CenterDepartment: Surgery/Burn ServicesForm of publication: Journal ArticleMedline article type(s): Journal ArticleSubject headings: *Ethics Consultation | *Ethics, Clinical | *Intensive Care Units | Ethicists | Humans | Pilot ProjectsYear: 2018Local holdings: Available online from MWHC library: 1990 - presentISSN:- 1046-7890
| Item type | Current library | Collection | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journal Article | MedStar Authors Catalog | Article | 30605438 | Available | 30605438 |
Available online from MWHC library: 1990 - present
BACKGROUND: Robust ethics consultation services cannot be sustained by all hospitals; consultative service from a high-volume center via teleconferencing is an attractive alternative. This pilot study was conceived to explore the feasibility and understand the practical implications of offering such a service.
CONCLUSION: Remote clinical ethics rounding is feasible when the equipment is optimized. Remote ethicists can identify similar numbers of "triggers" for possible ethical issues when compared to on-site ethicist numbers.
Copyright 2018 The Journal of Clinical Ethics. All rights reserved.
METHODS: High-definition videoconferencing was used to provide real-time interaction between the rounding clinicians and a remote clinical ethicist. Data collection included: (1) evaluation of the hardware and software required for teleconferencing, and (2) comparison of ethics trigger counts between the remote and on-site ethicist during rounds.
RESULTS: Issues with audio represented the majority of technical problems. Once technical difficulties were addressed, the on-site ethicist's count of "triggers" was not statistically different from the count of the remote ethicist.
English