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Related Experiment Videos

Futility and unilateral decision making: a different view.

Mary B Mahowald

    Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics : CQ : the International Journal of Healthcare Ethics Committees
    |April 1, 1993
    PubMed
    Summary

    Resuscitation of patients in persistent vegetative state (PVS) is futile for cognitive recovery but not for respiratory function. Decisions on futility involve medical and nonmedical values, requiring consensus among all parties.

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    Area of Science:

    • Medical Ethics
    • Neurology
    • Critical Care Medicine

    Background:

    • Persistent Vegetative State (PVS) presents complex ethical challenges regarding treatment futility.
    • Defining futility in PVS requires consideration of both medical outcomes and patient/societal values.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To analyze the concept of futility in PVS resuscitation.
    • To explore the role of medical and nonmedical values in Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) decisions for PVS patients.

    Main Methods:

    • Ethical analysis of resuscitation goals in PVS.
    • Examination of value judgments in determining treatment futility.
    • Discussion of consensus-building for DNR orders.

    Main Results:

    Keywords:
    Death and Euthanasia

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Resuscitation for cognitive restoration in PVS is medically futile.
  • Restoration of respiratory function may not be futile, depending on goals.
  • Futility judgments integrate patient values, family preferences, and societal perspectives.

    • Conclusions:

    • DNR orders in PVS should be based on shared understanding of noncognitive recovery as an undesirable goal.
    • Societal assessment of burdens and benefits to others is crucial when consensus is lacking.
    • Physician's unilateral decision-making on DNR orders is inappropriate, necessitating broader input.