Life and Death Issues in healthcare
Life and Death Issues in Healthcare
A Review of the Case Study
Abstract There are many issues raised by life and death choices in healthcare. Advance directives are a set of directions you give about the healthcare you want if you ever lose the ability to make decisions for yourself. If you have a disease you can choose curative care which is directed at healing or curing the disease or palliative care which involves care that helps relieve the symptoms, but does not cure or treat then disease. When it becomes apparent that a patient is approaching the end of life, or that the patient no longer wants to prolong their life, a decision can be be made to withhold or withdraw treatment. Advance directive laws merely give doctors and others immunity if they follow it, the only reliable strategy is to discuss your values and wishes with your healthcare providers ahead of time to make sure they are clear about what you want. Although, a doctor can be held liable in a court of law for not following those orders. There is a limited amount of time in which a patient can make a medical malpractice claim. The statute of limitations for these claims may vary by each state.
Life and Death Issues in Healthcare
A Review of the Case Study
During a scheduled appointment a patient is given the unfortunate diagnosis of colon cancer. The physician has asked you, the Medical Office Manager, to send his records to the referring oncologist. When you ask the patient to sign the appropriate release of information forms, the patient informs you that he does not believe in modern cancer treatments and will not be going to the oncologist’s office. The patient gives you a copy of his living will stating his wishes for end of life and says “if this is it, this is the way I want it. Please put this in my file…” This case study is going to go through and review a variety of situations that a healthcare professional might face by taking a look at federal and state healthcare
A Review of the Case Study
Abstract There are many issues raised by life and death choices in healthcare. Advance directives are a set of directions you give about the healthcare you want if you ever lose the ability to make decisions for yourself. If you have a disease you can choose curative care which is directed at healing or curing the disease or palliative care which involves care that helps relieve the symptoms, but does not cure or treat then disease. When it becomes apparent that a patient is approaching the end of life, or that the patient no longer wants to prolong their life, a decision can be be made to withhold or withdraw treatment. Advance directive laws merely give doctors and others immunity if they follow it, the only reliable strategy is to discuss your values and wishes with your healthcare providers ahead of time to make sure they are clear about what you want. Although, a doctor can be held liable in a court of law for not following those orders. There is a limited amount of time in which a patient can make a medical malpractice claim. The statute of limitations for these claims may vary by each state.
Life and Death Issues in Healthcare
A Review of the Case Study
During a scheduled appointment a patient is given the unfortunate diagnosis of colon cancer. The physician has asked you, the Medical Office Manager, to send his records to the referring oncologist. When you ask the patient to sign the appropriate release of information forms, the patient informs you that he does not believe in modern cancer treatments and will not be going to the oncologist’s office. The patient gives you a copy of his living will stating his wishes for end of life and says “if this is it, this is the way I want it. Please put this in my file…” This case study is going to go through and review a variety of situations that a healthcare professional might face by taking a look at federal and state healthcare
References: 1. American Medical Association. (1984). Opinion 2.20 – Withholding or Withdrawing Life- Sustaining Medical Treatment. Retrieved from: www.ama.assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/medical-ethics/code-medical-ethics/opinion220.page? 2. Cleveland Clinic. (2013). Do Not Resuscitate and Comfort Care. Retrieved from: http://www.my.clevelandclinic.org/healthy_living/healthcare/hic_do_not_resuscitate_orders_and_comfort_care.aspx 3. Magloff, L. (2014). Explanation of Power of Attorney. Retrieved from: http://www.info.legalzoom.com/explanation-power-attorney-20336.html 4. Medicinenet.com. (2012). Definition of Living Will. Retrieved from: http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4181