Withholding treatment when death is not imminent

Withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment when death is not imminent goes beyond the issue of whether or not medical interventions are simply prolonging dying. It treads on the slippery slope of quality of life judgments. Courts, in keeping with a tradition of self-determination, continue to protect a patient's right to decide whether his or her life has quality enough to prolong it. Patients may refuse treatment despite predictably dire consequences of refusal, including death. This choice is not evidence per se of incompetence, despite any conflict with medical values. Judicious use of technology is urged when there is conflict between the worthy principles of prolongation of life and relief of suffering. The patient is the best judge of his or her life's quality.