A survey of New Jersey hospital ethics committees

A mail survey in 1988 of all 108 hospitals in New Jersey, and telephone follow-up in 1990, investigated the extent and structure of ethics committees with attention to the distinctions between prognosis, infant care review committees (ICRC) and general ethics committees (HECs). It disclosed that as of August, 1990, 74 hospitals had prognosis committees, 16 had ICRCs, and 64 had HECs. All types of committees tend to cluster in teaching hospitals and in hospitals with 200-500 beds. HECs average 13 members which include 4-5 physicians, 2-3 nurses, administrators and clergy (1-2 each), and fewer than one each for any other single profession. The primary purpose of HECS is to develop hospital ethics policy (96%), followed by educating hospital staff (80%), and providing counsel and support to physicians (67%). Case review with recommendation is provided by 54% of the HECs and 21% are involved in confirmation of prognosis.