Ethics guide for health care practitioners: working under conditions of an influenza pandemic. Plan, prepare, practice.

Abstract

The Ethics Toolkit is designed to assist health care providers in carrying out their ethical responsibilities of caring for patients and families within the clinical environment during an influenza pandemic. In particular, the Toolkit is designed to give practical input on key issues facing health care practitioners, specifically: Altered Standards of Care; Vaccine and Antiviral Provision; Triage; and Workforce Management. Other issues are discussed in the Toolkit, but receive less comprehensive attention. The input for each of these issues is based on an Ethical Framework that provides a reasoned basis for decision making. In addition to this full sized, 16 page color brochure, the Toolkit is also available in a pocket-sized version. Likewise, a separate, single sheet, "Patient Guide" (page 15) is available.