Anencephaly, To Treat or Not to Treat

Baby K is an infant female born with anencephaly. Permanently unconscious, she has only brain stem function. During the initial hospital stay, hospital personnel “urged” the mother to permit a DNR order, but she insisted on the use of the ventilator.

• When a therapy is “futile” how much power should the mother have to demand the treatment?
• What should be considered and finally done in this situation?

Apply Theory (Specific Professional Healthcare Competencies + Clinical Medical Ethical Principles) to Practice in order to provide Optimal Patient-Centered Care (OPCC)