Reference no: EM133883579

Case Study

David, who has suffered from ALS for 20 years, is now hospitalized ina private religious hospital on a respirator. He spoke with his physician before he became incapacitated and asked that he be allowed to die if the suffering became too much for him. The physician agreed that, while he would not give David any drigs to assist a suicide, he would discontinue David's respirator if he asked to do so. David has now indicated that through a prearranged code of eye movements that he wants the respirator discontinued. David had signed his living will before he became ill, indicating that he did not want extraordinary means keeping him alive.

The nursing staff has alerted the hospital administrtor about the impending discontinuation of the respirator. The administrator tells the physician that this is against the hospital's policy. She states that once a person is placed on a respirator, the family must seek a court order to have him or her removed from this type of life support. In addition, it is agains their policy to have staff members present during such as procedure.

After consulting with the family, the physicain orders an ambulance to transport the patient back to his home, where the physician discontinues life support.

Questions

1. What were the prinary concerns of the hospital?

2. What were the physician's primary concerns?

3. When should the discussion about the patient's future plans have taken place with the hospital adminstrator?

4. What is the physician's liability for the death of this patient due to withdrawal of life support in the patient's home?