Grand Rounds: Ethics Reimagined: The New Architecture of the Akron Children's Hospital Ethics Committee and Consultation Services

Objectives (Educational Content) :

1.Identify the roles and responsibilities of the Akron Children's Ethics Committee and Consultation Service.

2. Distinguish ethical dilemmas from other clinically relevant dilemmas for purposes of seeking the support of the ACH Ethics Consultation Service.

3. Implement institutional policies and processes for acquiring the support of the ACH Ethics Committee and Consultation Service.

Target Audience:

General pediatricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, psychologists, and nurses.

Identified Gap:

Akron Children’s Hospital clinicians face a practice gap involving inconsistent understanding and application of the Ethics Committee and Ethics Consultation Service. This gap reflects a difference between current practice and what is achievable based on professional knowledge, as defined by ACCME. Staff often lack clarity about the Committee’s roles, struggle to distinguish true ethical dilemmas from other clinical challenges and variably follow institutional processes for initiating consultations —indicating underlying knowledge, competence, and system deficits that impede optimal use of ethics resources.

Estimated Time to Complete the Educational Activity:

1 hour(s)

Expiration Date for CE/CME Credit:

03-26-2027

Method of Participation in the Learning Process:

The learner will view the presentation, successfully complete a post-test and complete an activity evaluation.

Evaluation Methods:

All learners must successfully complete a post-test, as well as an activity evaluation, to claim CE/CME credit.

Disclosure:

The speaker(s) has returned the disclosure form, indicating that there are no financial relationships with ineligible companies:   Julie Aultman, Ph.D  Daniel Phillips, MA, MSN, RN Diane Sprankle, MSN, MHA, RN, NE-BC Laura Markley, MD  The following CME Committee/Planning Committee member(s) has the following financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose: Merck - Maria Cristina Victorio, MD  All financial relationships have been mitigated.  All remaining CME and planning committee members have returned their disclosure forms, indicating that they have no financial relationships with ineligible companies.  

Accreditation Statement:

Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron is accredited by the Ohio State Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CHMCA designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit TM.  Physicians should only claim the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Bibliography:

 1.American Society for Bioethics and Humanities. Core Competencies for Healthcare Ethics Consultation (3rd ed.). American Society for Bioethics and Humanities; 2025. ISBN: 978-1-7360934-2-9.

2.American Society for Bioethics and Humanities. Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibilities for Healthcare Ethics Consultants. Chicago, IL: American Society for Bioethics and Humanities; 2014

3.Peña A, McGuire A, Blumenthal-Barby J, et al. A Practical Guide to Developing & Sustaining a Clinical Ethics Consultation Service. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 2015. ISBN: 978-1514809181.