TY - JOUR T1 - Clinical ethics protocols in the clinical ethics committees of Madrid JF - Journal of Medical Ethics JO - J Med Ethics SP - 205 LP - 208 DO - 10.1136/medethics-2012-100791 VL - 40 IS - 3 AU - Benjamin Herreros AU - Venktesh R Ramnath AU - Laura Bishop AU - Emilio Pintor AU - María Dolores Martín AU - Miguel A Sánchez-González Y1 - 2014/03/01 UR - http://jme.bmj.com/content/40/3/205.abstract N2 - Introduction Currently, The nature and scope of Clinical Ethics Protocols (CEPs) in Madrid (Spain) are not well understood. Objectives The main objective is to describe the features of ‘guideline/recommendation’ type CEPs that have been or are being developed by existing Clinical Ethics Committees (CECs) in Madrid. Secondary objectives include characterisation of those CECs that have been the most prolific in reference to CEP creation and implementation and identification of any trends in future CEP development. Methods We collected CEPs produced and in process by CECs accredited in the public hospitals in Madrid, Spain, from 1996 to 2008. Results CECs developed 30 CEPs, with 10 more in process. The most common topic is refusal of treatment (seven CEPs developed; two in process). If CEPs addressing terminal illness, Do-Not-Resuscitate orders and advance directives are placed into a separate ‘ethical problems at the end of life’ category, this CEP subject emerges as the most common (eight developed; four in process). There is a relationship between the age of the CEC and the development of CEPs (the oldest CECs have developed more CEPs). CECs now seem to be more likely to engage in CEP development. Conclusions The CECs in Madrid, Spain, have developed a significant number of CEPs (30 in total and 10 in process) and there is a trend towards continued development. The most frequent topics are ethical problems at the end of life and refusal of treatment by the patient. ER -