Artificial feeding-Terri Schiavo

Published

I posted this here becaue I think this subject is something that we as nurses deal with on a regular basis.....Many many people state that they have a big problem with the feeding being stopped "allowing her to starve to death" The Vatican says " To starve her to death is pitiless" Most everyone agrees that it is one's right to refuse to initiate artificial feeding but somehow this situation "is different" How? The patient "starves to death " in both cases-so why has this one galvanized the WORLD? My husband read me a quote from the Bible -forgive me because I can't remember it in detail-it was something along the lines that a woman marries and leaves her father's house and her husband becomes her family....My husband is my POA I hope no-one in my family questions his motives -He KNOWS exactly what I want....I can't question her husbands motives-I know that some suspect foul play and state the results of a bone scan support this...That bone scan was obtained 53 months after she went into her coma-after her body suffered the effects of her eating disorders for a number of years.... Her present level of responsiveness does not pertain to this matter IMHO-she CAN'T eat naturally--she did not ever want to "be kept alive like that " and she can't state otherwise at this point...So- #1 can someone PLEASE make me see why this case is" DIFFERENT" and #2 How do YOU support your patients and their loved ones when they are agonizing over this decision? ONe thing I always ask is "Did your loved one ever give you any idea of what they would want if something like this happened" and if they did then I advocate that stance for that pt as much possible.......I believe that death is the last great trip we'll go on and we should PLAN it as much as possible.The greatest GIFT we can give to our loved ones is an itinerary...........

Could this be included in the other Schiavo thread which is discussing the exact same issue?

Well, Carolina, if you'll notice the three other posters do not have premium service membership and cannot join in the discussion if it's put in current events forum.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Well, Carolina, if you'll notice the three other posters do not have premium service membership and cannot join in the discussion if it's put in current events forum.

I believe there is a large thread, more that 600 posts in the General nursing forum. I could be wrong though!:uhoh21:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical/Surgical/Maternal and Child.
I believe there is a large thread, more that 600 posts in the General nursing forum. I could be wrong though!:uhoh21:

webblarsk, i know this is off of the subject, but i'm a premium member and would like to know how i can get some more avatars...thanks...by the way Garfield is one of my faves!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I believe there is a large thread, more that 600 posts in the General nursing forum. I could be wrong though!:uhoh21:

Nope...you're right!!! Merge the thread!!! :chuckle

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is my first post on this forum so please be patient as I learn :-) This post is not directed in reply to any specific post - it's just MHO.

I have been trying to focus primarily on the legal aspects of this case. The emotional issues are too subjective to gain any kind of meaningful consensus on. My primary concern is regarding the irregularities in the court procedures in this case. It has been reported that as the court appointed guardian, Mr. Schiavo has consistently violated the statutory filing requirements under guardianship laws, which technically forfeited his legal authority to act as guardian. Judge Greer’s office was also required to perform annual reviews on all of the guardianship plans submitted under his jurisdiction, which doesn’t appear to have been done either. Teri had a guardian ad litem at one time, but Judge Greer dismissed this individual in 1999, upon petition of Mr. Schiavo, after he had recommended that the feeding tube not be removed. Since then, he has refused to appoint a new guardian ad litem, appointing himself to the role, which is strictly prohibited by the state Code of Judicial Conduct. No judge may serve as a guardian unless the ward is a member of his own family. These procedures are not trivial - they are safeguards that are in place to protect the interests of patients who are unable to represent themselves. For those who expansively believe that all husbands have the uncontested right to make end-of-life decisions for their spouse I have only one thing to say: Laci Peterson. Laws are in place to protect us in situations where the ideal perfect world fails us. They are for the exception, not the norm. I am gloriously happy to see so many people stepping out to sing the praises of their wonderful marriages (like my own :-) however, we need only turn on the nightly news to remind us that not all families are so fortunate.

I’m a hospice nurse and am also concerned with what harm this case will do to the hospice industry. Hospice philosophy has traditionally rejected euthanasia and has focused instead on patient comfort. They are responsible for huge advancements in the understanding of both pain and pain management. We do in fact routinely withhold food and water (with or without a tube) but only when the patient refuses nourishment, which is usually within the course of active dying. At this time the patient’s body has already begun a very orderly process of shutting down. As most of you know the GI system and the renal system are two of the first auxiliary systems to go, so the food can’t be moved and the water can’t be excreted. To force food and water on a patient whose GI and renal systems are not functioning will obviously cause discomfort. But in the case of a patient whose body systems are functioning and with active metabolism taking place, the withholding of food and water starts a chain of events that are independent of the patient’s diagnosis. In this case the patient’s death is directly as a result of externally mediated interventions executed by healthcare workers. In my book, this is euthanasia, unlike termination of a ventilator which permits death through the processes already in place as a consequence of the patient’s diagnosed disease/injury. I am also troubled that this particular hospice is purportedly being investigated for Medicare Fraud. Hospice requires the signature of two physicians to certify that the patient is terminal with a life expectancy of less than 6 months. This particular hospice has allegedly taken patients under Medicare – including Teri Schiavo (apparently with Judge Greer’s consent) - without this certification. When you add the fact that this particular hospice has a troubling person sitting on its Board – George Felos: Mr. Schiavo’s attorney and a well-known and published euthanasia advocate, my skin starts to crawl.

I went into nursing to protect and give comfort to patients, not to be the judge of the quality of someone else’s life or to serve as the executioner when that quality is questioned by anyone other than the patient. In the absence of a living will or advanced directive signed by the patient forming the basis of informed consent, I believe withholding nutrition and hydration from patients who are incapable of communicating their needs and wishes goes against our code of ethics. I am personally not willing to step out onto that slippery slope.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
webblarsk, i know this is off of the subject, but i'm a premium member and would like to know how i can get some more avatars...thanks...by the way Garfield is one of my faves!!!!

i think its avatarmagic.com they have some cute avatar's!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

James HoffmanPlease read hardknox I don't think you know whats happening in this case. The Schindlers are using their daughter to make money and get attention. What a shame taking away her dignity and privacy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
James HoffmanPlease read hardknox I don't think you know whats happening in this case. The Schindlers are using their daughter to make money and get attention. What a shame taking away her dignity and privacy.

What the Schindlers may or may not be doing is not the point. And actually, I know quite a bit about this case. But then, neither is that the point.

You have accused the parents of a dying woman of of being the cause of death threats against Michael Schiavo.

Specifically: "What about michaels life threatened due to the schindlers."

I presume you have verifiable evidence of this. All I am asking is that you give us the evidence you obviously have.

Jim Huffman, RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
This is my first post on this forum so please be patient as I learn................................................................................................

......................................................................................................

I went into nursing to protect and give comfort to patients, not to be the judge of the quality of someone else's life or to serve as the executioner when that quality is questioned by anyone other than the patient. In the absence of a living will or advanced directive signed by the patient forming the basis of informed consent, I believe withholding nutrition and hydration from patients who are incapable of communicating their needs and wishes goes against our code of ethics. I am personally not willing to step out onto that slippery slope.

First of all "HisAlone"....Welcome aboard allnurses!:balloons:

Secondly, I narrowed your post down to the above statements because that is how I am feeling right now about the Schiavo case, and any case like it. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
webblarsk, i know this is off of the subject, but i'm a premium member and would like to know how i can get some more avatars...thanks...by the way Garfield is one of my faves!!!!

http://illustmaker.abi-station.com/index_en.shtml

Create your own avatar.

-Dan

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

Folks, please refrain from starting additional Schiavo threads in the nursing forums. Certainly some nursing-related topics have arisen from the whole episode, but this and another board I visit are being overrun with threads. If you have a nursing issue to discuss that is inspired by the case, feel free to do so, In this case, the OP attempted to discuss misconceptions of hospice arising from this case. It should not be used to rehash and re-rehash the case.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=625063

Looks like they might reinsert the tube again.

In, out, in, out, in, out, in, out...

I am really at a lost for word... I am numb...

-Dan

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion