Ethical Case

We had a woman with advance directives who ststed her wish to die if she ever couldn't make her own decisions. She had a CVA, and was put on comfort care because we thought she was dying (like within 24h) but then recovered. The family agreed not to tube feed her when on end of life, but then refused to let nursing staff po feed when she recovered (she was feeding herself, but couldn't verbally state her wishes). They would sit in the room and moniter us, and the doc wrote an NPO order.

With her wishes NOT to live if she was unable to make her own decision, and not able to participate now, was the family right to insist on NPO status as previously expressed?

What about that case in Florida several months ago...patient in semi-vegetative state...husband states she didn't want to live like that...got court order for NPO...patient's family says she is communicative...Gov. Bush revoked NPO order & I think the family was taking her home. Here are some websites for death & dying...they might have links:

http://www.growthhouse.org

http://www.palliativecarenursing.net

http://www.capcmssm.org

See if any of those help.

So far I am going to be able to use all the stuff you have given me!

Thanks so much!

Very interesting cases that give me something to think about.