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Related Experiment Videos

Prolonged ventilator dependence: economic and ethical considerations.

E H Elpern

    Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America
    |December 1, 1991
    PubMed
    Summary

    Ventilator weaning is complex for older, sicker patients. Limiting mechanical ventilation when benefits are unlikely or burdens outweigh benefits is crucial, guided by ethical principles and protocols.

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    Area of Science:

    • Critical Care Medicine
    • Medical Ethics
    • Healthcare Resource Management

    Background:

    • Patients requiring mechanical ventilation are increasingly older and sicker, complicating the weaning process.
    • Prolonged ventilator support consumes significant hospital resources with often poor survival rates.
    • The complexity of ventilator weaning necessitates careful consideration of treatment limitations.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To discuss the ethical considerations surrounding the limitation of mechanical ventilation.
    • To emphasize the importance of balancing treatment benefits against burdens for patients on ventilators.
    • To highlight the need for protocols in decisions to withhold or withdraw mechanical ventilation.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of ethical principles relevant to life-sustaining treatment decisions.
    • Analysis of resource allocation in prolonged mechanical ventilation.
    • Consideration of medical and legal factors in ventilator withdrawal.

    Main Results:

    • Survival rates for prolonged ventilator support are often poor.
    • Decisions regarding ventilator use must weigh potential benefits against treatment burdens.
    • Ethical principles must guide decisions to limit or terminate mechanical ventilation.

    Conclusions:

    • Limiting mechanical ventilation is appropriate when benefits are unlikely or burdens outweigh benefits.
    • Withholding or withdrawing mechanical ventilation requires adherence to ethical principles.
    • Institutional protocols are essential for managing ventilator termination, incorporating ethical, medical, and legal aspects.
    Keywords:
    Death and EuthanasiaHealth Care and Public Health

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