Monday, March 21, 2005
An Observation About Terri Schiavo's Case
The case of Terri Schiavo is being debated in detail in many other venues. I won't rehash it all here. One observation I have regards advanced directives. Advanced directives (http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/8_12.htm) provide us with direction for care when a patient is unable to speak for themselves.
We currently require hospital patients on admission to sign a statement regarding advanced directives- do they have one, are they informed about them, do they want information on these. Whatever the outcome of Terri's plight- whether we allow her to be slowly murdered, or prolong her life into her uncertain future- I see one likely result from the debate. There will soon come a day when you'll not be allowed any hospital admission without a signed and exhaustively detailed A.D. for file, duly witnessed and notarized. "Please have your papers ready before you approach the border". And do try to find loved ones you can really trust.
ADDENDUM: My older boy is always telling me to be nice to him- he's going to be the one picking my nursing home.
We currently require hospital patients on admission to sign a statement regarding advanced directives- do they have one, are they informed about them, do they want information on these. Whatever the outcome of Terri's plight- whether we allow her to be slowly murdered, or prolong her life into her uncertain future- I see one likely result from the debate. There will soon come a day when you'll not be allowed any hospital admission without a signed and exhaustively detailed A.D. for file, duly witnessed and notarized. "Please have your papers ready before you approach the border". And do try to find loved ones you can really trust.
ADDENDUM: My older boy is always telling me to be nice to him- he's going to be the one picking my nursing home.
