Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 1, 2025

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
09:36

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device

Published on: September 24, 2020

2.9K

Multidisciplinary support for ethics deliberations during the first COVID wave

Bénédicte Lombart1, Laura Moïsi1, Valérie Bellamy1

  • 1GH Sorbonne Université, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, 26930APHP, Paris, France; Paris Direction Juridique, 26930APHP, Paris, France; Hôpital Saint-Antoine, 26930APHP, Paris, France.

Nursing Ethics
|March 4, 2022
PubMed

Insights

During the COVID-19 pandemic, an Ethics-Support Cell (EST) addressed dilemmas concerning resource allocation and treatment intensity. The EST facilitated clear, transparent decisions for patient care amidst ethical challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Ethics
  • Public Health Crises
  • Healthcare Management

Background:

  • The first COVID-19 wave in France (February 2020) caused concern over healthcare system saturation.
  • A multidisciplinary Ethics-Support Cell (EST) was established to aid medical teams in navigating ethical dilemmas.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively gather data on EST assistance requests during the initial COVID-19 wave.
  • To document the functions and operational scope of the EST during this period.

Main Methods:

  • An observational, real-time study of consultation requests for ethical dilemmas.
  • A standardized data collection grid was used by the EST to ensure consistent information gathering.
  • Interventions were limited to clinicians within the university hospital.

Main Results:

  • 33 requests were analyzed, with a mean patient age of 80.8 years; most had COVID-19 and comorbidities.
  • Requests primarily concerned Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission and therapeutic proportionality.
  • Dilemmas arose from limited resources and treatment intensity considerations.

Conclusions:

  • Ethical dilemmas persisted despite established decision-making protocols during the COVID-19 crisis.
  • EST interventions focused on patient-centered treatment, feasibility, and dignified care.
  • The study underscores the value of ethical support and transparent decision-making in public health emergencies.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVIDclinical ethicsempirical approachesethics and leadership/managementethics of care/care ethicsmoral distressorganisational ethicstheory/philosophical perspectivestopic areas

More Related Videos

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting14:43

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

12.1K
Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum04:36

Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum

Published on: August 5, 2020

4.4K

Related Concept Videos

Ethical Dilemmas II01:30

Ethical Dilemmas II

Resolving an ethical dilemma in healthcare involves a systematic approach that considers every aspect of the issue, respecting both the patient's needs and values and the healthcare professional's ethical obligations. Here are potential steps to resolve an ethical dilemma:
1.4K
Ethics and Bioethics01:22

Ethics and Bioethics

Ethics is a philosophical study of moral actions. Ethics attempts to determine what is valuable for individuals and society. It examines the rational justification of moral judgments and analyzes what is morally just, fair, and right. Bioethics is a sub-discipline of applied ethics that analyzes the philosophical, social, and legal issues in life sciences and medicine. Ethical theories serve as a foundation for decision-making and represent the viewpoints from which people seek direction. They...
1.7K
Ethical Dilemmas I01:17

Ethical Dilemmas I

Ethical dilemmas in nursing are of utmost importance, as they often arise from the tension between adhering to core ethical principles and the practical realities of healthcare delivery. These dilemmas require nurses to navigate complex situations where competing ethical considerations pull them in different directions.
Let us explore some examples to understand the potentially complex moral decisions nurses face.
Take the case of caring for minors, particularly in areas related to reproductive...
1.1K
Ethics in Research01:56

Ethics in Research

Today, scientists agree that good research is ethical in nature and is guided by a basic respect for human dignity and safety. However, this has not always been the case. Modern researchers must demonstrate that the research they perform is ethically sound.
24.7K
Nursing Ethical Principles II01:27

Nursing Ethical Principles II

Ethical principles are essential in guiding nurses to fulfill their responsibilities, focusing on the quality of nursing care and decision-making. These principles, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and fidelity, shape the ethical framework within healthcare settings.
Consider the following scenario, which illustrates how these principles are applied in the care of Mr. John, a fifty-year-old teacher diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer.
Initially, Mr. John's...
1.4K
Ethical Issues01:27

Ethical Issues

Nurses are essential in patient care, upholding the ethical principles of their profession and effectively navigating ethical dilemmas. Neglecting ethical issues can lead to inadequate patient care, compromised therapeutic relationships, and moral distress among healthcare workers.
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
1.3K