Hospital or Prison: Navigating Ethical Care in Incarcerated Settings
Saturday, September 21, 2024
8:45 AM – 9:45 AM CT
Location: Midway 9 (First Floor)
CE Hours: 1
Abstract: Hospitalized patients who are in custody present unique ethical and legal challenges. This panel, composed of a physician-ethicist, a physician-ethicist-lawyer will present on the pertinent ethical and legal issues that may cause conflict. The discussion will use three cases to highlight disputes that can occur around confidentiality, safety, and surrogate decision-making. The cases will cover the following questions: 1. Can law enforcement block the release of health information to family members, citing concerns for patient safety? 2. Can law enforcement request attempt resuscitation/full treatment against the surrogate’s wishes, citing a compelling government interest in keeping the patient alive? 3. Is the patient ethically or legally harmed when law enforcement confidentially identifies the patient’s surrogate decision-maker as one of the patient’s alleged victims to the patient’s medical team?
The panel discussion will end with resources to aid clinicians in navigating between competing ethical, medical, and legal demands.
Learning Objectives:
After participating in this conference, attendees should be able to:
Describe how a clinician’s ethical obligations to the patient may conflict with the demands of law enforcement in the acute care setting.
Through the analysis of three cases covering surrogate decision-making, safety and security of hospital staff, and code status, demonstrate how to advocate for preserving the incarcerated patient’s healthcare rights.
