The Structure of Clinical Ethical Decision-Making: An AdventHealth Needs Assessment Study

AdventHealth Univrsity, Orlando, Florida

The primary purpose of this study is to conduct a needs assessment of the bioethics infrastructure within AdventHealth hospitals, to better understand and strengthen this infrastructure. The study had a mixed method, cross-sectional de- sign, using an anonymous online survey. To obtain varied points of view, the survey was sent to five key leaders from each hospital facility: the chief executive officer, chief medical officer, chief nursing officer, risk manager, and lead chaplain. Survey questions focused on the composition, structure, function, and effectiveness of clinical ethics committees within AdventHealth and the issues they encounter. Respondents rated the effectiveness of their facilities’ bioethics infrastructure and shared information about ethics-related training and resources.