Ethical and Legal Issues of Death and Dying - 2409 Words

Ethical and Legal Issues of Death and Dying Tracey Rentas Old Dominion University CHP 480 November 30, 2012 Dr. P. Lynch-Epps Abstract This was not easy to put this paper together. Recently my mother- in- law passed away, and her death was devastating to the entire family as well many friends. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and became dependent as she neared the end of life. All anyone of us could do was comfort her with our expression of loves while we tried to comprehend what was taking place. We leaned close, whispered I love you in her ear, and held her hands at all times. Our loved one was dying right before our eyes. As a family we had to adjust to her decline from an active, loving, spirited, wife, mother and†¦show more content†¦The legal and policy issues of end of life care, is not just the concern of health-care professionals, patients and families (Ferrell amp; Coyle, 2010, p. 1173). It is also a concern of â€Å"the government†, and â€Å"the public at large† (Ferrell amp; Coyle, 2010, p. 1173). The federal government’s interest in end of life care has increased . The judicial history is filled with cases, court decisions and opinions that have influenced directly or indirectly the course of end of life care (Ferrell amp; Coyle, 2010, p. 1173). The courts are often used to resolve conflicts among patient family and healthcare facility. The legal system is known as an adversarial system (Ferrell amp; Coyle, 2010, p. 1174). It’s when two advocates, who represent either side of a dispute, present their argument to a judge for a decision. This dispute can emerge between patient and family or family and the hospital care facility. The adversarial nature of the judicial system magnifies the intensity and painfulness of very complex emotional dilemmas (Ferrell amp; Coyle, 2010, p. 1174). The judicial system has had to deal with many issues in regards to end-of-life care including â€Å"decisional authority, refusal of therapy, and physician assisted suicide† (Ferrell amp; Coyle, 2010, p. 1174). Although each of these decisions deal with individually distinct legalShow MoreRelatedDo Resuscitate Status: a Legal and Ethical Challenge for Nursing1679 Words   |  7 PagesResuscitate Status: A Legal and Ethical Challenge for Nursing Shawn Wolkart Senior Integrative Seminar Spring A semester, 2010 University of Saint Mary Abstract A status of do resuscitate in those critically ill patients may result in a slow code. A slow code is a situation where the nursing staff decides to do less than the standard set forth by advanced life support algorithms and the nurse practice act and allow the patient to die instead of possibly sustaining life. 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