SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Moral Distress in Compassionate Release: Insights and Interventions for Providers

Pdf Summary

The document discusses <strong>moral distress</strong> in healthcare, especially in the context of <strong>compassionate release</strong> for incarcerated patients. Moral distress occurs when clinicians feel psychological turmoil because they are involved in situations they believe are morally troubling.

A case is presented involving <strong>Mr. A</strong>, a 48-year-old incarcerated man brought to the hospital and judged to be imminently dying. The team requested compassionate release, and his care was shifted to comfort-focused treatment. After release was approved, the team learned he had recently been convicted of a violent crime against a child. His condition later improved enough for discharge to his sister’s home, but he received no home health services because of his prior conviction. He was readmitted two months later and died.

The case highlights several sources of moral distress for healthcare workers: concern that Mr. A might be dangerous to others; worry that justice was denied to the victim and family; lack of familiarity with compassionate release rules; absence of legal oversight after release; limited resources available because of his conviction; and tension with ethical principles such as <strong>non-maleficence</strong> and <strong>beneficence</strong>.

The document notes that moral distress can lead to <strong>emotional reactions, physical symptoms, burnout, leaving the profession, and lower quality patient care</strong>. It also emphasizes that more healthcare providers are likely to encounter these situations as the population of older incarcerated adults and those with chronic illness grows.

Suggested interventions include: giving providers time to reflect after stressful events, using risk assessment tools, improving knowledge of compassionate release policies, creating a moral distress consultation service, involving hospital ethics committees, and developing evidence-based compassionate release policies.

Asset Subtitle

Mia Achitoov

Meta Tag

Author List Brandy Bluitt, Jodi Williams, Madeline Dunstan, Marissa Galicia-Castillo, Mia Achitoov

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept Moral Distress

Concept Compassionate Release

Concept Tension

Concept External Constraints

Concept Internal Constraints

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Eastern Virginia Medical School

Presenting Author Mia Achitoov

Track Adult

Keywords

moral distress

healthcare ethics

compassionate release

incarcerated patients

end-of-life care

ethical dilemma

non-maleficence

beneficence

burnout

ethics consultation

Moral Distress

Compassionate Release

Tension

External Constraints

Internal Constraints