Activities of an ethics consultation service in a tertiary military medical center

The joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requires hospitals to have a mechanism to address issues of medical ethics. Most hos pitals, especially those in the military, have an ethics committee composed solely of members who serve as an additional duty. To enhance the ethics c onsultation service, the 59th Medical Wing created a position under the chi ef of the medical staff for a full-time, fellowship-trained medical ethicis t. After establishment of this position, the number of consultations increa sed, a systematic program for caregiver education was developed and deliver ed, and an organizational presence was achieved by instituting positions on the institutional review board, the executive committee of the medical sta ff, and the credentials committee. Issues in medical care are becoming incr easingly complicated, due in large part to financial stresses and technolog ical advancements. Ethics consultation can help prevent and resolve many of these problems. This report discusses the activities of the first year of a full-time ethicist in a tertiary military medical center.