CPMC Organizational Ethics

The Program in Medicine and Human Values works closely with Sutter hospitals and administrators to identify systems-level bioethics issues and develops solutions that serve both patients and staff. This includes bioethics policy development.

Sometimes ethical questions arise at an institutional level rather than an individual patient level. The team at the Program in Medicine and Human Values have experience to help. PMHV bioethicists work closely with Sutter Health hospitals and administrators to develop solutions and policies to address systemic issues. The goal is to help close institutional ethics gaps to improve healthcare quality.

Addressing Moral Distress

PMHV strives to address staff distress when dealing with complex patient situations. Our team members find early intervention options, answer questions and help hospital personnel decompress in the face of troubling circumstances.

We offer:

Staff debriefing sessions to discuss complex cases.
Involvement in hospital team rounds.
Initiatives to reduce doctor, nurse and staff distress.

Improving Healthcare Quality

Enhancing healthcare means improving not only scientific, technical and service quality, but also ethics quality. It requires assuring that clinical and management practices consistently adhere to widely accepted ethics standards, norms and expectations. PMHV works with organizations to identify ethics gaps at the system level and develop solutions for quality improvement.

For information on policies and organizational ethics initiatives, email ethics@sutterhealth.org.

Patient Information

Interested in the intersection of medicine and ethics? Here are some resources.

Provider Perspectives

The Program in Medicine and Human Values helps healthcare providers—and you—by offering support and guidance through challenging medical situations.

Stephanie Hsiao, M.D., Hospital Medicine, CPMC

“Debriefing sessions with the bioethicist on how to communicate with families were incredibly valuable. They helped frame each family meeting with clarity, honesty and compassion. It also helped me build confidence navigating these complex goals-of-care discussions.”

Diane Pege, M.D., Chief Medical Executive, Sutter Lakeside Hospital

“The bioethics team has helped reduce burnout in the doctors and nurses who work in our ICU. We feel supported by them, and they have empowered us to help our patients. It’s part of a great system that truly cares about the patient experience and the emotional and spiritual well-being of its caregivers.”

Rachael M. VanDeBogart, M.D., Hospital Medicine, Novato Community Hospital

“The ethics service is an invaluable resource as we take on increasingly complex patients. Our bioethicist has repeatedly worked through issues in a fair and compassionate manner. Families and patients appreciate the thorough assessment that takes place; they feel heard and validated.”

Bob Sypher, MSN, CNL, Director, ICU, Eden Medical Center

“The bioethicist’s expertise has allowed us to slowly change our culture and launch new and refreshing discussions regarding autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice–the ethical pillars of optimal conflict resolution and patient care.”