Welcome to Ethics Consult -- an opportunity to discuss, debate (respectfully), and learn together. We present an ethical dilemma in patient care (hypothetical for this edition); you vote on your decision in the case. Next week, we'll reveal how you all made the call. And stay tuned -- an ethics expert will weigh in next week with an ethical framework to help you learn and prepare.
A small rural hospital in the U.S. has been battling the COVID-19 pandemic along with the typical flow of cases for other ailments. The surrounding community has been hit particularly hard due to the age and relatively poor baseline health of the population.
Although overwhelmed by the influx of patients, hospital staff are relatively young and in good health with no serious underlying conditions -- only one person on staff has contracted COVID-19 so far.
But relief is on the way -- a vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus is now being distributed.
The hospital's chief physician receives word that the hospital will receive 200 doses of the vaccine and is tasked with allocating them in the community.
See the results and what an ethics expert has to say.
And check out some of our past Ethics Consult cases: Walk Out Over Mask Reuse?, Take Elderly COVID-19 Patient Off Ventilator?, and Hiding Dx From Elderly Cancer Patient? MD/JD Bangs the Gavel.