There are 4 people awaiting transplant surgery and need organs ASAP or they will die suddenly a patient in a car accident was admitted and is in a coma. The doctors are in disagreement, do they convince the family to pull the plug and use the patient's organs to save the 4 people OR hold out hope that the coma patient will wake up and let the 4 transplant patients die.
2007-03-01 09:26:54 · 5 answers · asked by VoxPopuli 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
Here is the appropriate ethical analysis.
Patient autonomy must be upheld. This means that you cannot seize organs against a patient's will, regardless of their condition. Even if they are deceased. It's ethical and illegal. To determine the patient's will, ideally a written document ("living will" or "advanced directive") should exist. Otherwise, the legal proxy (usually a spouse) must exercise substituted judgment to determine the patient's wishes. They must determine what the patient would want, not what they themselves would prefer.
To seize organs to benefit others is certainly beneficient towards the recipients, but it would be presumptuous and unethical to make that decision for potential donors.
Anyway, the need for organs should have no influence whatsoever on the doctors' treatment of the comatose patient. A doctor would lose his license if he withheld appropriate care because the patient was an organ donor.
2007-03-01 12:38:01 · answer #1 · answered by Intrepyd 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither.
Explain to the family what 'coma' means, emphasizing the likely prognosis. When the family seems to accept this, go out of the room and wait a short while. Then go back in and announce that, of course, there's been no change in their loved one's status. Address the person who seemed to be the spokesperson, or the most savvy, while maintaining occasional eye contact with all family members. Explain to this person the situation and ask if s/he would like to consider the gift of life, the gift of the loved one's organs to help each of four people. Speak slowly and sincerely. Don't rush their answer, and don't allow yourself any judgemental tones or expressions.
2007-03-01 12:30:00 · answer #2 · answered by williemae4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A better question would be: 4 patients need transplants ASAP. Should the doctor run out into the street, grab the first passer-by, kill him and use his organs for saving his patients?
You question is absurd. You see why?
2007-03-01 10:59:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you don't convince the family to pull the plug. you EXPLAIN to the family the patient's condition without insinuating that you want them to pull the plug. then you wait for the family's decision on whether they'll wait or whatever. and even if they decide to pull the plug, it is still their choice if they want the organs donated or not.
2007-03-01 12:28:02 · answer #4 · answered by mcsteamyandme 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you convince the family to pull the plug
2007-03-01 09:47:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋