Debate: What constitutes 'terminality' and how does it relate to a living will?
DOI
10.1186/cc717
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
12-28-2000
Publication Title
Critical Care
Volume
4
Issue
6
First Page
333
Last Page
338
ISSN
13648535
Keywords
Ethics, Living will, Power of attorney, Terminality
Abstract
A moribund and debilitated patient arrives in an emergency department and is placed on life support systems. Subsequently it is determined that she has a 'living will' proscribing aggressive measures should her condition be judged 'terminal' by her physicians. But, as our round table of authorities reveal, the concept of 'terminal' means different things to different people. The patient's surrogates are unable to agree on whether she would desire continuation of mechanical ventilation if there was a real chance of improvement or if she would want to have her living will enforced as soon it's terms were revealed. The problem of the potential ambiguity of a living will is explored.
Open Access
Gold
Repository Citation
Crippen, D., Levy, M., Truog, R., Whetstine, L., & Luce, J. (2000). Debate: What constitutes 'terminality' and how does it relate to a living will?. Critical Care, 4 (6), 333-338. https://doi.org/10.1186/cc717