Ethics

This report provides data from a recent survey of U.S. adults. Among other findings, respondents were almost evenly divided on the question of ventilator allocation, with 50% favoring priority for patients who are most in need at the moment and Read More

This article evaluates potential strategies for allocation of scarce PPE to health care providers from an ethical perspective and recommends a range of approaches to be adapted to the circumstances of a particular hospital. Many ethical frameworks focus on the Read More

This pre-print of a forthcoming article provides recommendations for several pressing ethical challenges based on existing frameworks from the Hastings Center and the American College of Surgeons. The article notes that the ethical issues raised by an infectious disease pandemic Read More

This article reports on the release of New Jersey’s Department of Health guidance for allocating scarce critical care resources if necessary during a public health emergency. The state guidance applies only when the supply of available resources is entirely exhausted, Read More

This article discusses challenging resource allocation decisions in Italy in response to COVID-19 from the perspective of medical ethics. Italy has experienced the largest COVID-19 outbreak in Europe, with the country’s northern region particularly severely affected. Due to the limited Read More

This analysis from the New England Journal of Medicine discusses the unique legal concerns that may arise in containing COVID-19 while also attempting to safely unwind current restrictions. As the authors state, “A showdown between public health imperatives and civil Read More

This article reports on hospital preparations in Indiana to address the anticipated peak of COVID-19 cases. Current estimates suggest that case surge in the state will not overwhelm critical resource supplies due to the impact of social distancing and other Read More

This article discusses the development of pandemic response plans over the past several years and reviews existing plans from 14 states, including policies that address potential need to ration scarce resources during a public health crisis. Public health and emergency Read More

This analysis by leading health law and bioethics scholar Hank Greeley examines challenges with using “immunity cards,” “immunity certificates,” “Covid passports” or other such devices as part of the process of “reopening” society before robust treatments and/or effective vaccines become Read More

This article reports on the development of two sets of ethical allocation guidelines in Australia for a public health emergency in which resources must be rationed. One approach, led by bioethicist Angus Dawson, rejects the use of strict allocation formulas Read More