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Originally Posted by I_Money  For the doc, and I Wanna Be ATP - where do DNRs fit into this?
I have seen people who are dying be resuscitated and I do not want that, however there are also stories of lives being saved with no long term complications from resuscitation and I definitely would like that! How is all of this defined? Should I sign a DNR or not?
Also, one of the vets at the old equine hospital used to tell owners - 'if it was my daughters horse' it really put it into perspective. I would feel awfully guilty putting my parents through tough decisions like that - it is compounded by the fact of all the complex information they will have to decipher, make a decision based on, and then live with that decision. Is there a way you can get the ethics committee, team of doctors, nurses into the equation. I have heard many doctors comment about quality of life, doing procedures on patients they would not want done on themselves etc. I would much rather pass this to a team of professionals (even though they are strangers) who understand the situation, the possible outcomes, and make the decision what is best for me (takes the hope out and makes it reality!). |
Each situation is different, so I'm not even going to armchair quarterback that one.
When it comes to a DNR and QOL issues, I always tell the family to get together, get some coffee, and discuss what their loved one would want in a situation like this. Even if their loved one doesn't have a living will, the family members (I hope members, it gets complicated when it's one person), get to talk about what their loved one wanted. Case in point, My dad says he doesn't want to be on a ventilator but yet will NOT sign an advance directive. But my brothers and sister know his wishes, he's told us many times.
I cringe whenever a medical professional has to use the "pressure" tactic of "if it were my family member"... I feel that is unprofessional. When family ask me "if it where your mother...." I say, this is not my decision, it is yours, and then try to help guide them.
There should be an ethics committee at every hospital. Just ask the nurse to get them together. It's a very easy process. If the hospital for some reason doesn't have an ethics committee, then you can ask for care conference. The family meets with all the doctors, the nurse manager, and a social worker. This meeting should include all the doctors giving their input on prognosis, care options, etc.