Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services

UH St. John Medical Center honors the Catholic Church's Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services (ERDs). The purpose of the Directives is first to reaffirm the ethical standards of behavior in healthcare that flow from the Church's teaching about the dignity of the human person. Secondly, it is meant to provide authoritative guidance on certain moral issues that face Catholic healthcare today.

The ERDs contain six sections:

• The Social Responsibility of Catholic Healthcare Services
• The Pastoral and Spiritual Responsibility of Catholic Healthcare
• The Professional-Patient Relationship
• Issues of Care for the Beginning of Life
• Issues in Care for the Dying
• Forming New Partnerships with Healthcare Organizations and Providers

UH St. John Medical Center employees will engage with the ERDs annually through a series of “Mission Dialogues.” It is of utmost importance that staff maintain a working knowledge of these principles and incorporate them into the care they provide for patients.