Table 2.

Steps to Consider When Developing an Ethics Committee

1. Obtain buy-in from leadership and clarity on available resources.

2. Determine the function and structure of the ethics committee.

3. Educate the staff on the function and structure of the ethics committee.

4. Choose the committee members.

5. Train the committee members on the skills needed to achieve the function of the ethics committee.

6. Identify the guiding principles of the ethics committee.

7. Formally establish the systems, processes, and communication network that allow the committee to fulfill its function.

8. Pilot/run processes, and revise function, structure, principles, and processes of the ethics committee at predetermined intervals.

Note. Steps 1–3 likely need to occur before later steps. Steps 5–8 can likely occur concurrently. Step 9 occurs after the ethics committee has been established.