Hospital ethics committees: a pediatric neurosurgical perspective

The Pediatric Neurosurgical Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons was polled regarding the status of hospital ethics committees. Twenty-four committees were identified in 74 pediatric neurosurgical centers in the United States. (Thirteen of these were formed between October 1983 and February 1984.) In addition, 21 are in the planning stages. Physicians predominate, with nurses, hospital administrators, the clergy, social workers, attorneys and lay persons usually represented. Functions include review of ethical and patient care decisions and providing counsel and support primarily to physicians and nurses. Rarely do committees make policy, determine prognosis or make final decisions regarding life-support systems. Approximately one case per year is reviewed. Committee formation frequently appears to be a crisis response to highly publicized pediatric cases and recent positions of the Department of Health and Human Services. Their purpose, construct, function and utilization raise serious questions as to their usefulness and necessity.