Clinical Ethics Consultation

Whenever you are uneasy about how the care-situation is going, wondering if it is moving in an ethically good or right direction (for example, not sure who should be making these difficult decisions or the options may prove harmful or you are just not being heard), you can contact the Clinical Ethics Consultation Service.

The Clinical Ethics Consultation Service (CECS) is available* to assist in addressing uncertainty or conflict regarding ethical issues that emerge in healthcare.  When ethical questions arise or when support is needed in making difficult choices, any patient, family member or guardian, health professional or others with a legitimate interest in a patient is encouraged to request the assistance of an ethics consultation. This service is provided by UAMS at no charge.

The CECS is an advisory service, offering to help think through morally difficult situations and, where appropriate, provide recommendations to aid in moving forward with the best care of the patient—working with and respecting all parties while focusing specifically on the interests and values of the patient.

*the CECS strives to return calls in 30 minutes or less during normal workweek business hours; after hours and on weekends, we can only promise to return calls as schedules permit.

 To Request an Ethics Consultation

• Please dial our pager at 501-405-8134 or call the hospital operator at 501-686-7000
• Email –  ethicsconsult@uams.edu

What Happens When A Consult is Requested

•  The person requesting the consult will be contacted by the ECS. The requestors name can be kept confidential.
• An ECS member reviews each request to see what type of consultation is best suited to a particular situation. Frequently a family meeting is held to clarify concerns, questions or goals of care. The consultant does not judge the quality of patient care or make decisions. They help to facilitate a discussion of the situation and clarify the issues from an ethical perspective. Read more on detailed procedures.