Ethics Guidelines
Clinical Ethics and Pandemic Influenza
Alberta Health Services (October 2009)
The Alberta Health Services - Covenant Health Pandemic Influenza Ethics Framework is the foundation upon which ethical input and influence into pandemic preparedness has been based in Alberta. The Framework outlines the broad principles and decision-making parameters that have guided pandemic planning and, if required, will assist health care providers and managers in making difficult moral decisions during pandemic influenza.
Development of a Critical Care Triage Protocol for Pandemic Influenza: Integrating Ethics, Evidence and Effectiveness Andrea Frolic, Anna Kata and Peter Kraus (2009).
Healthcare Quarterly, 12(4), 2009
Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) was the first hospital in Canada to develop a detailed critical care triage protocol for bedside application. In this article, the authors present (1) the rationale and process HHS undertook to create this protocol, (2) highlights and key innovations of the protocol and (3) issues arising from preliminary testing of the protocol.
Interior Health Authority (2009)
This document outlines British Columbia's Interior Health Authority's guidelines for planning, response and recovery in the case of an influenza pandemic. See section 14 (page 172) for Ethical Issues and Considerations for Pandemic Influenza Planning
Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan
Public Health Agency of Canada (2009)
This is a detailed plan of the nation's response to a pandemic. For ethical considerations, please see the following sections:
- Background - Section 6.0 - Ethics & Pandemic Planning
- Annex D - Appendix - Vaccine Prioritization Framework
- Annex G - Section 1.2 - Ethics of Clinical Care During Public Health Emergencies
- Annex H - Resource Management Guidelines For Health Care Facilities During an Influenza Pandemic
Nurses' Ethical Considerations In A Pandemic or Other Emergency
Canadian Nurses Association, August 2008
This paper explores the different roles, situations and ethical issues nurses can face during a pandemic. The concept of "duty to provide care" is examined as well as the different obligations nurses have as members of a self-regulating profession. The reciprocal duties of employers and society during a pandemic are also explored.
Ontario Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic
Government of Ontario (2008)
The 2008 edition of Ontario Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic provides more detail on surveillance and reporting systems to monitor a pandemic; occupational health and safety and infection prevention and control measures; the timing, use and availability of antiviral treatment; and the organization and delivery of influenza-related primary care services, including assessment, treatment and referral services. Section 2 outlines an ethical decision-making framework.
Ethical Guidelines in Pandemic Influenza
Kathy Kinlaw & Robert Levine for the Ethics Subcommittee of the Advisory Committee to the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Feb 15, 2007).
As part of its planning for a possible outbreak of pandemic influenza, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) worked with its Ethics Subcommittee of the Advisory Committee to the Director to identify ethical considerations relevant to public health decision-making during planning for and responding to pandemic influenza. CDC requested that the Ethics Subcommittee provide input on ethical considerations in vaccine and anti-viral drug distribution prioritization and in the development of interventions that would limit individual freedom and create social distancing.
Berlinger, (2006) N. Hastings Centre Bioethics Backgrounder
This article asks: what values should guide our decisions on allocating tragically scarce resources such as vaccines, antiviral drugs, and ventilators? What ethical resources do we have to guide us in making these immensely difficult choices?
Canadian College of Health Service Executives (May 2006)
This paper seeks to provide Canadian health leaders with the background information needed to plan for a potential influenza pandemic, as well as the support for planning at local, provincial, territorial and national levels. Included in this document is a literature review of strategic directions developed by various levels of government, as well as a discussion of the issues and recommendations related to pandemic planning. There is a section devoted to potential ethical issues that health leaders will face.
Equitable access to therapeutic and prophylactic measures
World Health Organization (2006)
This working draft paper discusses various topics related to ethics and pandemic planning including ethics and scarcity, procedural fairness and accountability, stockpiling of antiviral drugs, priority setting in medical care, and ethical considerations for vaccination priorities.
Ethics of public health measures in response to pandemic influenza
World Health Organization (2006)
This working draft report focuses on the ethical challenges that have yet to receive sufficient attention in pandemic planning, including the introduction of an ethical and human rights framework, impact of public health interventions, general ethical themes, international issues, surveillance and privacy concerns, and much more.
The role and obligations of health-care workers during an outbreak of pandemic influenza
World Health Organization (2006)
A challenge to all those involved in pandemic planning is how to engage those sectors of the community that will be first responders to a pandemic and ensure their participation in the planning process. This draft paper discusses the ethical basis and values behind the engagement of health care workers, including the review of the ethical aspects of the health workers obligation to provide care during a pandemic.
Issues that arise between governments when developing a multilateral response to a potential outbreak of pandemic influenza
World Health Organization (2006)
An outbreak of pandemic influenza will impact not only a nation within its own borders, but also the international community. This paper addresses the moral dilemmas or challenges that nations may face in their international or transnational relations when assistance is requested. Unlike the other working draft papers released (see above), this paper focuses not on national responsibility, but rather international responsibilities.
Ethical Values for Planning for and Responding to a Pandemic in New Zealand - A Statement for Discussion
National Ethics Advisory Committee, New Zealand (July 2006)
The National Ethics Advisory Committee (NEAC) of New Zealand has prepared a statement of ethical values for planning for and responding to a pandemic. This statement is designed to promote thought-provoking discussion on the ethical issues that will likely arise during a pandemic. It is a substantial paper, identifying widely shared ethical values for pandemic planning. A follow-up to this paper will be published in the near future.
Allocating Pandemic Influenza Vaccines in Minnesota: Recommendations of the Pandemic Influenza Ethics Work Group
Minnesota Centre for Health Care Ethics (September 2006)
This report offers an ethical framework for the allocation of scarce vaccines in a worst-case influenza pandemic.
Pandemic Influenza Planning Guidelines
Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network (May 2006)
This is a comprehensive document that seeks to put guidelines forth that health care professionals and organizations may follow during a pandemic. One chapter is dedicated to the development of an ethical framework during pandemic planning. Included in this chapter are the underlying values that will guide decision-making, including reasonableness, openness, accountability, and many more. A description and example of each value is provided, as well as a list of key ethical issues.
Ethics Still Un-Addressed in Pandemic Preparedness: Possible Planning Guideline
Management Ethics, Fall 2006 (Canadian Centre for Ethics & Corporate Policy)
Taking a more business-minded approach, this paper discusses the need for employers to develop effective preparedness plans. The author includes possible ethical frameworks and planning guidelines for businesses and others to follow.
Stand on Guard for Thee: Ethical Considerations in Preparedness Planning for Pandemic Influenza
University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics (November 2005)
Published by the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics, this is an ethical guide for planning and decision-making during a pandemic. Included are 15 ethical (procedural and substantive) values, such as individual liberty, privacy, duty to provide care, solidarity and much more. The report concludes that flu pandemic plans universally need an ethical component that addresses four key issues. It provides an overview on each issue, the ethical values and processes involved, and recommendations for action.
|
