Patients vs. Family vs. (?)

Dr Smith, a mom of 4 children, is an ED physician. Her unit is typically full to capacity with Covid-19 patients of all ages and backgrounds. While she was able, with the help of the ICU team, to stabilize and transfer some patients out of the ED, more are dying every day. PPE and ventilators are also limited.

• What determines which patients should be placed on a ventilator?
• What contributes to that decision?
• Does patient choice play a part in that decision? How? Why?
• Should families of dying patients be allowed in the ED if they, other patients and staff are protected?
• Is Dr Smith’s care of her patients dangerous to her family? How? Why?
• How would you make these decisions if you were in Dr Smith’s position?

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