title: A practical approach to ethical decision-making.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this paper is to provide a practical approach to ethical decision-making for executives working in the healthcare setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  A nine step decision-making algorithm is presented to serve as a guide for identifying and resolving complex ethical problems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While decision-making frameworks are not new to the management literature, this practical approach outlines a coherent and logical means by which executives can articulate a management problem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identifies and evaluates potential solutions for consideration, plans an approach to implementing the desired solution, and evaluates the impact of their decision.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Services Administration, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. vjmaddal@dal.ca
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Maddalena
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics*; D006270:Health Facility Administrators; D006801:Humans