Let's call it "organ support," not life support

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

This is an idea that originated in a legal nursing group discussion about the brain-dead teen at Children's in Oakland. While I completely understand the family's pain and that a lot of it is due to misunderstandings (e.g., the mother is reported to have said, "She's not dead, her heart is still beating and she breathes,"), I think the language we use in these situations contributes to this, and would like to spread the idea that better language would be more descriptive.

What would it be like if the health care people involved in this didn't say that a brain-dead person was on "life support," but instead called it "organ support"? In these cases, the life is over.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I think that's more clear and realistic terminology.

[elkpark]

I remember, a hundred years ago in nursing school, a couple nurses who worked with the local transplant service came to talk to us, and they talked about "maintaining cadavers" to preserve organs for transplantation. Seems reasonable to me, but I'm sure family members (even those more reasonable than the family of the girl in Oakland) would not be willing to hear their loved ones on ventilators referred to as "cadavers."

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree that the language we use and the general way we talk about such things influences the way people understand them. I also agree we all need to be more clear in our language -- though I am not sure what words would be the best.

One of my favorite lines on Downton Abbey was when Shirley MacClain's character referred to the Dowager as having "lost her husband." The Dowager (played by Maggie Smith) said, "I didn't lose my husband, he died." It really gets to me how some people refuse to use the word "died" or "death" and go to great lengths to avoid it. It's a pet peave of mine.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I vote for mechanical support. Completely descriptive and removes the connotation of life.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Organ support gives a clear explanation of death...I like it.... I'm not sure I'm supported to like it, but I do.

[ParisAntonel]

Grntea, I like the new terminology/idea. When I grow up, I want to be smart just like you. Love your advice and honesty :)

[amoLucia]

I remember, a hundred years ago in nursing school, a couple nurses who worked with the local transplant service came to talk to us, and they talked about "maintaining cadavers" to preserve organs for transplantation. Seems reasonable to me, but I'm sure family members (even those more reasonable than the family of the girl in Oakland) would not be willing to hear their loved ones on ventilators referred to as "cadavers."

Like the term "organ harvesting".

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

I remember, a hundred years ago in nursing school, a couple nurses who worked with the local transplant service came to talk to us, and they talked about "maintaining cadavers" to preserve organs for transplantation. Seems reasonable to me, but I'm sure family members (even those more reasonable than the family of the girl in Oakland) would not be willing to hear their loved ones on ventilators referred to as "cadavers."

I would like likely sucker punch anyone calling a loved one of mine as 'maintaining a cadaver'.

That is so dehumanizing.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Organ support.

I like it.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Excellent term. I've gotten into disagreements with my friends, nursing and non-nursing alike who feel that the government is trying to "euthanize" her. No matter how often I tell them she's already dead.

[SubSippi]

I also agree with the idea, although I can see the whole thing turning into a religious debate.