The end of a patient’s life has been a difficult, complex, and often controversial aspect of medicine, because, historically, death has been conceptualized as a “failure” on the physician’s part. As our understanding Understanding Decision-making Capacity and Legal Competence of death has evolved, so has the physician's relationship Relationship A connection, association, or involvement between 2 or more parties. Clinician–Patient Relationship to it, becoming a companion to the patient in their final moments. Moreover, experienced doctors understand that during the last days of a person’s life, the focus Focus Area of enhancement measuring < 5 mm in diameter Imaging of the Breast must be on maximizing quality Quality Activities and programs intended to assure or improve the quality of care in either a defined medical setting or a program. The concept includes the assessment or evaluation of the quality of care; identification of problems or shortcomings in the delivery of care; designing activities to overcome these deficiencies; and follow-up monitoring to ensure effectiveness of corrective steps. Quality Measurement and Improvement of life rather than on prolonging it.
Last updated: 23 Mar, 2022
The primary purpose of any medical intervention is to prolong life or to improve quality Quality Activities and programs intended to assure or improve the quality of care in either a defined medical setting or a program. The concept includes the assessment or evaluation of the quality of care; identification of problems or shortcomings in the delivery of care; designing activities to overcome these deficiencies; and follow-up monitoring to ensure effectiveness of corrective steps. Quality Measurement and Improvement of life (QOL). At the end of life, preserving a patient’s QOL is more important than prolonging life.
The key principles of medical ethics Medical Ethics Medical ethics are a set of moral values that guide the decision-making of health care professionals in their daily practice. A sense of ethical responsibility has accompanied the profession of medicine since antiquity, and the Hippocratic oath was the 1st document to codify its core ethical principles. Medical Ethics: Basic Principles that apply to end-of-life issues include:
Technique of providing CPR CPR The artificial substitution of heart and lung action as indicated for heart arrest resulting from electric shock, drowning, respiratory arrest, or other causes. The two major components of cardiopulmonary resuscitation are artificial ventilation and closed-chest cardiac massage. Cardiac Arrest
Image: “Chest- compression Compression Blunt Chest Trauma– hand Hand The hand constitutes the distal part of the upper limb and provides the fine, precise movements needed in activities of daily living. It consists of 5 metacarpal bones and 14 phalanges, as well as numerous muscles innervated by the median and ulnar nerves. Hand: Anatomy-placement” by Another-anon-artist-234. License: CC0 1.0Despite being supported by the medical ethical principle of patient autonomy Autonomy Respect for the patient’s right to self-rule. Medical Ethics: Basic Principles, there is significant controversy surrounding PAD and euthanasia.
Principles involved in organ donation Organ Donation Brain Death include:
Generally, there are 2 types of organ donation Organ Donation Brain Death:
The circumstance of organ retrieval for DCDD are described according to the Maastricht classification:
Category | Type | Circumstances | Typical location |
---|---|---|---|
I | Uncontrolled | Dead on arrival | ED |
II | Uncontrolled | Unsuccessful resuscitation Resuscitation The restoration to life or consciousness of one apparently dead. . Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome | ED |
III | Controlled | Cardiac Cardiac Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR) arrest follows planned withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments | ICU ICU Hospital units providing continuous surveillance and care to acutely ill patients. West Nile Virus |
IV | Either | Cardiac Cardiac Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR) arrest in a patient who is brain Brain The part of central nervous system that is contained within the skull (cranium). Arising from the neural tube, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including prosencephalon (the forebrain); mesencephalon (the midbrain); and rhombencephalon (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of cerebrum; cerebellum; and other structures in the brain stem. Nervous System: Anatomy, Structure, and Classification-dead | ICU ICU Hospital units providing continuous surveillance and care to acutely ill patients. West Nile Virus |