An Ethics Early Action Protocol to Promote Teamwork and Ethics Efficacy.

Background: Moral dilemmas and ethical conflicts occur in critical care. Negative consequences include misunderstandings, mistrust, patient and family suffering, clinician moral distress, and patient safety concerns. Providing an opportunity for team-based ethics assessments and planning could improve communication and reduce moral distress.

A Team-Based Early Action Protocol to Address Ethical Concerns in the Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Ethical conflicts complicate clinical practice and often compromise communication and teamwork among patients, families, and clinicians. As ethical conflicts escalate, patient and family distress and dissatisfaction with care increase and trust in clinicians erodes, reducing care quality and patient safety.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of a proactive, team-based ethics protocol used routinely to discuss ethics-related concerns, goals of care, and additional supports for patients and families.