Code of Ethics to Take Life

Essay by siakajoeUniversity, Master'sA-, October 2010

download word file, 3 pages 0.0

When most people think of a loved one passing him/her usually concern them with the fact that it will be hard to imagine the world without them. Since there are many technologies that increase the likelihood of person being rescued from death there are many additional questions that the family must respond to. These may include the following: When should a patient considered Do Not Resuscitate? Who is going to be the person responsible for this order? What are the legal ramifications of the order? Does the American Medical Association give any kind of working definition for specific case or each case addressed individually.

Without a written document stating what is to be done in the event that a patient is incoherent, people close to the patient and family with their wishes can help. The law recognizes a family hierarchy of relationships in determining which family members may be the official spokesperson.

It is recommended that all close family members should be consulted. Adult children of patient and all must be in agreement.

In this case scenario, a 67 year old widow was suffering from Alzheimer disease, which is debilitating that, leads to vegetative condition and death. The patient then suffered from massive stroke that left her paralyzed and her life expectancy was less than a year. The patient doctor recommended that in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest resuscitation should not be attempted. Even with the family's approval the case went to court. The court stated that, attempts to apply resuscitation, if successful, will do nothing to cure or relieve the illness which brought to the threshold of death. The court also ruled that this was not an issue to be directly dealt with in the court, but should be handled by the attending physician while adhering to...