Ethical Decision-Making in Complex Patient Care

By the end of this session, participants will be able to

-Analyze the ethical tensions between respecting patient autonomy and ensuring safety in the context of diminished or fluctuating decision-making capacity.

-Evaluate the roles and responsibilities of surrogate decision-makers, particularly when family members are in conflict or when decisions may not align with the patient’s best interests or known values.

-Apply ethical principles and institutional frameworks to guide decision-making when a patient refuses treatment that clinicians believe is necessary, including when and how to ethically override objections. 

Continuing Education Credits Available: Nursing Home Administrator and Social Worker

Presenters: Amber Allen, MSN, RN, CPHQ, HEC-C, Lead Clinical Ethicist & Emily Leuthold, BSN, RN, HEC-C, Clinical Ethicist, Sanford USD Medical Center

Presented: December 11, 2025