We post an ethical or situational concern that has arisen in a facility where one of our readers works. It has no identifiers included. It gives you only the facts of the case. Then, you can respond to that concern. This is an ongoing dialogue, with comments added as they come in. In the following issue, assuming it has been resolved, we give you the outcome from the facility where the incident took place. Please send any cases that you would like considered for inclusion to: info@plainviews.org

We hope that this new addition will help to inform not only those who are dealing with the issue, but will enable all of our readers to learn from the experiences and perhaps mistakes of others.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to unanticipated continuing responses to both the case and the resolution of the case, added responses can be viewed in the archives. Click HERE.

CaseConference #15 Resolution

The chaplain, after hearing the teen's stories, went to the staff and informed them that the "facts" were not making sense and that there might be more to it. One of the doctors and the chaplain went and talked with the two teenagers explaining to them that without accurate information, their friend could not be treated in the best manner. The doctor told them that there was a possibility that their friend might die unless they found out what really happened so that he could be treated for the underlying cause of his unconsciousness. The teenagers started crying. The chaplain assured them that it was best to tell the doctor exactly what happened so that their friend could be treated appropriately. The two teens then told the doctor and chaplain what really happened, including the patient getting into a fight with another friend who punched him. He fell and hit his head on a concrete pavement. They confirmed that he (and they) had been drinking at one of the teens' houses, and what it was they had been drinking. A cat scan revealed swelling in the brain and a traumatic brain injury. The teenager subsequently died, having never regained consciousness.

The chaplain did not reveal to the police what the teenagers had told the doctors, assuming that they would find out the truth when the teenagers stories did not mesh. The police did eventually get the "real" story; the teenager who punched the patient was eventually arrested for assault and when the patient died, was charged with murder. The owners of the house where the teenagers had been drinking were also arrested for allowing access to alcohol to minors.

CaseConference #15

A group of teenagers appear at the ED with a friend who is unconscious. The police, having been called by the ED, arrive shortly thereafter. Over the course of the next several hours, each teen is interviewed by the police as they try to figure out what happened. The unconscious 17-year-old has alcohol in his blood, indicating that he had been drinking. The ED staff are having a difficult time stabilizing and rousing the teen. He appears to have a head injury as well as a high content of alcohol in his blood. The chaplain has been called to the ED to help with the family of the injured teenager. At one point, the chaplain sits with two of the teenagers who have yet to be interviewed by the police. They begin to tell the chaplain about “what happened.” The story they tell is somewhat unbelievable – and the “facts” change as they tell their story.

If the staff believes that the truth of what happened to this injured teen might save his life, what is the chaplain’s role with the other teens?

What if the two teens have knowledge that could benefit the injured teen but don’t want to reveal it? They are keeping information from medical staff because it might cause a problem for them. Who is the chaplain protecting?

What is the chaplain’s obligation to these two teenagers? Should the chaplain let the teens know that telling the truth would be in their best interests or just listen to them?

What is the chaplain’s responsibility vis-à-vis telling the police about his/her "suspicion” that the teens are not telling the truth?

Please check the archives below for comments made about the last CaseConference.

Send your comments about CaseConference to info@PlainViews.org.