Ethics & Patient Rights
Some Terms You Need to Understand
- Terminal condition
A terminal condition is an incurable or irreversible condition
that, in your doctor's opinion, would result in death in a relatively
short time without the use of life-sustaining medical procedures.
- Life-sustaining procedure
A life-sustaining procedure is any medical treatment or
procedure without which a patient cannot survive. This does not include
procedures that your physician may order to provide care or comfort, or
reduce pain. Questions about the kinds of procedures that are often used
when illness is severe, especially when recovery is unlikely, should be
answered by your doctor.
Some examples of life-sustaining treatment are:
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): a medical procedure that may
involve forceful pressure on the chest, the administration of drugs
or electric shock to restore the heartbeat at the time of cardiac
arrest.
- Ventilator support: a method of assisting the patient who cannot
breathe naturally, using a ventilator machine to move air into the
lungs.
- Artificial nutrition and hydration: a method of feeding food and
water to a person who cannot eat or drink. A person may be fed through
a tube inserted into the stomach directly or via the nose and throat,
or through an intravenous tube.
- Living will
A living will is a document that allows you to tell your doctor
to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining medical procedures in case you
develop a terminal condition and can't communicate your wishes. Your
instructions will then be followed if you are unable to make or state your
decisions at the time a medical decision must be made.
More about a living will
- Durable power of attorney for health care
A durable power of attorney for health care (in Massachusetts, a
health care proxy) is a document in which you name another person as your
agent to make health care decisions for you in case you become unable to
make those decisions for yourself. If you know in advance that you would
prefer to have or avoid certain treatments, such as surgery or artificial
nutrition or hydration, you may include such instructions in the document.
More about durable power of attorney
- Agent
An agent has the legal authority to make the medical treatment
choices you would have made yourself if you had been able to do so,
including a decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining procedures in
case you develop a terminal illness. Selection of your agent is the single
most important part of preparing your durable power of attorney for health
care. Most people select a family member or friend to be their agent.
Speak to the person beforehand to explain your intentions, values,
attitudes and general philosophy about physical or mental disability or
illness during the final stages of your life. Your agent must be willing
to act on your behalf and carry out your wishes. Your agent may not be
someone associated with the health care provider or facility providing
your care or treatment, such as your doctor or hospital personnel, unless
that person is also your relative.
You may want to consider naming one or two alternate agents who could
step in and make health decisions for you if, for some reason, your agent
is unable to do so. However, your agent may not delegate the authority to
make health care decisions to anyone else. Always include the name,
address and telephone number of each person named, and state who is the
primary agent, who is the first alternate and who is the second
alternate.
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