End Of Life Decision Analysis

After reading your post and many of the colleague in the class, most agree that is not professional to disregard the conversation that the family was having. Although the patient wishes were not to remain on life support and had a document to prove it he also fail to have a proxy to carry one his whishes. The Health Care Proxy is a simple document, legally valid in many states, which allows a person to name someone (an "agent") to make health care decisions their behalf if they are unable to make or communicate those decisions. (Society, 2015).

The Revolutionary period has often been categorized by the hardships that the Americans faced. The colonists were forced to abide by British rule without their consent, which pushed the realities of tyranny further into light as the colonists were unable to receive proper representation while they were taxed. While many Americans enjoyed the period of Salutary Neglect from 1696-1763, the period that followed left many colonists fearing their rights were not being upheld as a part of the British empire. In the eyes of the Americans, the unjust legislation was an unforgivable offence, which forced them to ultimately declare their independence in 1776. The main factors of unjust taxation that lead to the political supremacy imposed by Great Britain

My perception of palliative and Hospice care has changed slightly when it comes to communication with the family. I walked into the hospice unit mentally preparing myself to talk with patient families about their loved one and the dying process; this was certainly not the case. The family and the patient did not want to be bothered unless comfort interventions needed to be carried out and there was no conversation to be had about the patient and his situation. This shows that each family is different, each patient is different; and we need to respect and accommodate their unique

To start off, watching the PBS Frontline Documentary, "Facing Death." was a bit tough for me since my family and I recently had to go through that whole process, prior to my grandfather’s death. I take decisions for end-of-life issues very seriously, as it is literally a matter of life or death. In my opinion, the decision should be made with no biases or selfish, ulterior motives into play, it should be for the benefit of the dying patient/family member.

The use of advance directives is increasing day by day. It is the legal paper that describes the patient wish and provide power to someone to take decision on end of life situation. It helps to healthcare providers to take the treatment decision when the patient is in unstable condition. I agree with you that Like the use of advance directives would prevent a lot of critical situation like this if it was done on time. Changing and reviewing advance directive in a timely manner is important for healthcare provider because it help them to be updated with all rules and regulation regarding patient care. Advance directives can be changed at any time but once it is changed, a new form should be created and old should be destroyed. Changing and

Primary care physician or nurse should help initiate a discussion and allowing time regarding decision making, planning, advance directive and the patient's wishes with family. Healthcare providers should take responsibility to understand the values, belief, and wishes regarding end-of-life (NIA, 2014).

They were the subjects of public disputes with family members, court systems, medical professionals, the media, and society at large. Terri Schiavo, Nancy Cruzan and Karen Ann Quinlan; their names are synonymous with permanent vegetative state (PVS). The amazing technological advancements in modern medicine has been credited with keeping persons alive who in times past would have died, therefore this is remarkable for countless families. In the cases of the Quinlan’s, the Cruzan’s and many like them, families members find it unbearable to witness loved ones who linger indefinitely in PVS with little or no chance for recovery. There are many like Terri Schiavo’s parents, who value the lives of their love ones no matter how limited their

“It is estimated that 75 percent of Americans have never taken the time to discuss their wishes or provided any written guidance to loved ones or health care providers in the event the patient is unable to speak for themselves” (Kottkamp, 2013). This is why patients should decide on having an advanced directive. Advanced directives exits to “encourage and empower patients to be ready for the unexpected, to provide the gift of guidance to their loved ones, and, ultimately, to be sure that patients get the care they want and need if they are ever unable to speak for themselves” (Kottkamp, 2013). Advanced directives are recognized in all 50

Unfortunately, 25-75% of patients will lose their capacity to make medical decisions at the EOL (Sudore et al., 2014). Therefore, family are involved to support the patient on their EOL journey by assisting them with medical decision making that is reflective of their wishes (Sudore, 2014). Therefore, as family involvement increases, patient advocacy improves (Sudore, 2014). Family involvement was unitedly defined as a family or friend caregiver who was most involved in the patient’s care. Caregiving tasks were direct, such as personal care and meals, or indirect, such as management and monitoring, and was provided on weekly to monthly basis (Williams et al., 2012). In the last month of life, 63% to 94.2% of decedents had family involvement with 87.5% of families being satisfied with the overall care they received (Sudore et al., 2014; Williams et al., 2012; Thompson et al., 2012). According to Williams et al. (2012), the indirect task of monitoring, such as advocating for medical care, diet and medication, had the highest involvement rate of

In addition to advance directives, there are other decisions involving end of life care that people should think about and discuss with their loved ones. These are decisions are around the ‘how’ and ‘where’ that people wish to die. These types of measures may be touched on in one’s advance directives, but may not go into great detail. If diagnosed with a terminal disease or if the end of life is imminent, one should decide on the type and amount of treatment they receive. With death as a certainty, most people turn toward either palliative care or hospice

In end-of-life scenarios, where the patient may not be able to communicate their wishes, decisions must be made either by the healthcare professional(s) or family member(s). However, who gets to decide or where the line should be drawn are not always clear. Consequently, not all decisions may be ethically permissible. To illustrate, I will discuss a scenario in which physicians and family are not in agreement. Upon proving a brief summary and explaining the ethical dilemma, I will provide moral reasons for two ethically permissible choices from which, by referencing the principle of autonomy and Utilitarianism, will determine which course of action ought to be carried out.

With an increasing aging population and growing numbers of individuals with chronic conditions, it is important for individuals to prepare for end-of-life care. An Advance Directive is a defined as a “legal document that provides data to critical care staff about patients’ wishes, especially when critical illness decreases decision-making ability” (McAdam, Stotts, Padilla, and Puntillo, 2005). An Advance Directive also allows for better communication between the patient and doctor, and preserves the autonomy of patients. It may also alleviate one’s family from any possible burden of uncertainty of one’s wishes. It provides guidance, which may avert arguments with family members concerning treatment choices (Cedars Sinai, 2015). The Patient

Since all diseases are not curable, a lot of people are living in severe pain that is unbearable. Assisted suicide, also known as mercy killing, is the act of bringing the death of a hopelessly ill and suffering person in a relatively quick and painless way. Indeed, it is one of the effective solutions for people who are suffering in pain from terminal illness and especially for children who are not able to choose for their own lives. Even though assisted suicide is not legalized globally, there are few countries and six states in America including Washington State that allow such action. Many people are still against an assisted suicide system. However, since America is the country of freedom, people should have choices

I enjoyed reading your DQ 1 post this week, and it is the patients right to choose, but only if they are deemed competent. They also have to respond willingly. It is also important to understand that telling patients the truth no matter what even if the patient is fatally ill is what is required out of a health care professional. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it is considered the standard of care in the United States (U.S.). To preserve and enhance the patient's autonomy the Patient Self-determination Act was enacted. However, some might say that doctors responsibilities and family integrity are being set to the side ( ). But I think otherwise because it is our right to choose what we believe would be

It is important that one discuss their feelings about health care options with their physicians. Many doctors are not yet comfortable with the idea of living wills so they may be hesitant to encourage their patients to consider the alternatives options and issues surrounding living wills and health care options.