CAY HILL:--- The St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) Medical Ethics Committee, in collaboration with the Medical Staff Board, Medical Staff Bureau, and the Hospital Liaison Committee of Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW) on St. Maarten, recently hosted a lecture entitled Medical Management of Jehovah’s Witnesses – A Collaborative Approach for medical specialists and other healthcare providers.

After a brief presentation on care protocols for patients who are Jehovah’s Witnesses by Mr. Steve Morris, Mr. Jesse Fortuna, and Mr. Keith Romeo, an open discussion between hospital staff and JW representatives touched on the importance of collaboration between care providers and patients to map out a patient’s care plan, especially if this includes care guidelines due to personal beliefs. This includes having an Advanced Directive, a legally binding document that patients create before receiving care that outlines their wishes pertaining to care and designates a medical representative if they are not able to represent themselves.

“It was important for us to host this lecture because it is part of a larger conversation on patients’ rights when seeking or receiving medical care. As physicians and healthcare providers at SMMC, we strive to provide patient-centered care that relies heavily on upholding patients’ rights,” said Dr. Emiko Bird-Lake, Cardiologist and Chair of SMMC’s Medical Ethics Committee.

SMMC’s patient-centered approach to care is one that is aligned with most medical providers today. It is also an important component in SMMC’s Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation trajectory that sees the hospital working towards securing JCI accreditation shortly after the move to the new St. Maarten General Hospital (SMGH).

“This type of care empowers patients through education and information to make informed decisions and play an active role in their care,” stated Dr. Bird-Lake. “Evidence-based research has shown that patients who receive patient-centered care have higher rates of compliance and better patient outcomes than those who do not. Ultimately, the goal is to provide care that not only diagnoses or treats but is in the best interest of the patient, and that includes respecting their preferences and wishes.”

When receiving care at SMMC, all patients have rights that are consistent with local laws and established ethical principles within the medical field. This includes but is not limited to the right to considerate, respectful, and dignified care given by competent personnel in accordance with personal values and beliefs. The consideration of privacy concerning medical care, the right to refuse information, medication, care, treatment or procedure (to the extent permitted by law), the right to receive clear and complete information in layman’s terms, and the right to file complaints with the hospital about care or other concerns are also rights of all patients.

The exhaustive list of patient’s rights and responsibilities can be found on SMMC’s website: https://smmc.sx/Patient-Care/Patient-Rights-and-Responsibilities.

SMMC thanks the Hospital Liaison Committee of Jehovah’s Witnesses and its Medical Ethics Committee for organizing the lecture and looks forward to continuing to provide patient-centered care close to home.