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Ethical Considerations in Critical and Terminal Illness in the Elderly *
Author(s) -
LEVENSON STEVEN A.,
LIST NOEL D.,
ZAWWIN BO
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1981.tb01260.x
Subject(s) - medicine , terminally ill , legislature , terminal care , geriatric care , nursing , critically ill , set (abstract data type) , protocol (science) , advance care planning , palliative care , alternative medicine , intensive care medicine , archaeology , pathology , computer science , history , programming language
In a Baltimore geriatric center and hospital, a program was developed to individualize the treatment of critically and terminally ill patients. Part of this program was an effort to involve the patients themselves in the discussion of their personal wishes, and the provision of a set of guidelines for staff members to help them individualize the care of the patients. Some of the practical problems involved in the application of these ethical ideals are discussed. Merely implementing the protocol helped staff members to become more aware of these complex questions. Physicians should deal forthrightly with “right‐to‐die” and associated issues. The decision‐making should remain in medical hands, and out of the courts and legislatures.