> The issue of 'living will' and 'no code status' is probably a
>very important one for this group. It is essential for list
>participants to understand that while the Catholic Church is often
>viewed as opposed to such measures, it is within the bounds of
>Church teaching to refuse 'extraordinary means;' any invasive
>procedure that is used to extend life can be legitimately rejected
>by the patient or his/her family. Please note that even though a
>living will is included in the documentation on the hospital chart
>and within physicians records, it does not mean that a 'no code'
>status is automatically ordered. In our hospital a physician must
>write the order specificially denying cardio-pulmonary
>resuscitation. If you have discussed this issue, and come to the
>conclusion that CPR is not to be done in the event of sudden
>death, then please remind your physician to include the order
>*every* time you, or your loved one, is hospitalized.
Be VERY careful with this. The living will is meant to apply only
if you have a terminal illness; some medical personnel have
interpreted
them to mean the patient does not want resuscitation under any
circumstances. This has resulted in deaths of patients who were not
terminally ill. I've had health professionals review a family
member's living will and
ask whether the person "doesn't want to be resuscitated." I've
reminded
them that this applies only if the patient has a terminal illness
(e.g.
terminal cancer, or the like), which the family member doesn't.
I'd advise making sure the health care professionals understand the
living will's purpose.
The joys of modern medical technology... in the 19th century, there
was
no way to restart a heart, but they sometimes didn't know whether
it had stopped. The problem was the occasional premature burial.
Edgar Allen Poe's story was not, apparently, a mere fantasy.
-Bill
