A 35 year old female has been in a coma stae for the past 5 years. She wasa vict

Question

A 35 year old female has been in a coma stae for the past 5 years. She wasa victim of a hit and run motor vehicle accident. Appropriate measures were taken in the field and in the ER to resuscitate the patient but secondary to the massive bllod loss and intracranial hemorrhage, the patient has been in a vegetative state for the past five years. With the cost of medical care rising and two daughters to raise, her husband of 12 years decided to end her life by requesting the removal of the tracheostomy and gastric feeding tube and to allow his wife to pass on in peace. The patient's parents were against this request and sought legal advice which resulted in legal battle.

1. As the person primarily involved in this patient's care, what are your moral duties and obligations?
2. Ethically, who has the "right" to withhold treatment and who does not?
3. Morally, is the action of the husband irreprehensible or justifiable?
4. What does the order "Do Not Rescuscitate; DNR" mean?

Explanation / Answer

This is a very opinion based answer 1) The health and safety of the patient. 2) The husband has the right in this case. If she was unmarried or under 18 then I would say that the parents have the right. BUT she is married and therefore her husband is given this choice 3) No, if the patient has shown no signs of being able to live on her own for five years it can be said that she is not 'alive'. If she needs the aid of machines to live then she is not truly living. Keep in mind, five years is a long time, and if she hasn't made improvement after five years then it is not likely that she ever will. 4) DNR, means that if the patient were to die the medical staff would not try to resuscitate them.

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