From Mayo Clinic Issues surrounding end-of-life decision-making

Patient Prefer Adherence. 2013 Aug 9;7:771-5. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S48135.

Issues surrounding end-of-life decision-making.

Tejwani V, Wu Y, Serrano S, Segura L, Bannon M, Qian Q.

Source

Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.

Abstract

End-of-life decision-making is a complex process that can be extremely challenging. We describe a 42-year-old woman in an irreversible coma without an advance directive. The case serves to illustrate the complications that can occur in end-of-life decision-making and challenges in resolving difficult futility disputes. We review the role of advance directives in planning end-of-life care, the responsibility and historical performance of patient surrogates, the genesis of futility disputes, and approaches to resolving disputes.