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"There is power in the blood": a case discussing ethical issues of utility of resources

S P Douglas1, E D Crook, M D Reynolds

  • 1G. V. "Sonny" Montgomery VA Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi 39216, USA. sdoug777@aol.com

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|September 26, 2001
PubMed

The allocation of medical resources is often a great concern in the United States. This article discusses a case concerning utility of resources in a patient with a terminal disease. We assert that the goals of treatment tailored to an individual patient should be made at the bedside by a fiduciary (physician) in conjunction with the patient's preferences and values. There is great responsibility in making these decisions and it is critical that they be made at the bedside with the patient and family clearly aware of the goals of treatments and informed of treatment limitations.

Keywords:
Death and Euthanasia

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