Engelsk titel: Ethical considerations in termination of intensive care
Läs online
Författare:
Bulow HH
Email: hhbulow@dadlnet.dk
Språk: Dan
Antal referenser: 28
Dokumenttyp:
Översikt
UI-nummer: 04061378
Sammanfattning
This paper deals with the difficulties regarding intensive care therapy, the development of which has created the situation that patients do not always die "naturally", but the course of their disease can be decided partially by those who treat them. The legislation covering the area is reviewed, and ethical considerations concerning the different levels (intensity) of treatment in the intensive care unit are considered. The importance of communication and consensus among those treating a patient and between them and the patient's family is stressed. Guidelines for how futile therapy might be stopped are recommended. It is stressed that all decisions and conversations with the family must be documented in the medical record, not only because this is a legislative requirement but also to avoid any misunderstandings internally among those treating the patient and externally when dealing with the patient's family.