A measure of growth. A system's corporate ethics committee assesses its accomplishments and future direction

In 1992 the Sisters of Mercy Health System (SMHS) Corporate Ethics Committee (CEC) developed a three-step evaluative process of the system's ethics programs. The evaluation consisted of a retrospective review of the minutes of CEC meetings since the committee's inception, an oral evaluation with current CEC members, and a written assessment of the committee's performance by current and former members. In the open discussion, 86 percent of participants indicated that the system needs the CEC because it facilitates in-depth examination of ethical issues and provides important research and consulting services to the system executive. Respondents completing the written evaluation indicated that the CEC's dominant strength is the diversity of its membership, which includes trustees, physicians, ethicists, nurses, administrators, managers, and chaplains. More than 57 percent of respondents reported the CEC has achieved all six of its goals, which included education, articulation, decision making, policy development, program development, and evaluation. A review of the CEC evaluation suggests that the committee has moved beyond the development stage and entered a period of active growth. CEC members have made great strides in educating themselves, and the committee must now consider whether to broaden its focus by developing its knowledge base and skills for bioethical education and policy recommendations. The CEC is currently testing an ethical decision-making model it recently developed.