Ventilator/Life-Support Removal

Helga, 86, fell in her Minneapolis home and broke her hip. After the fracture was successfully set, she was discharged to a nursing home. On January 1, 1990, she was readmitted due to developing respiratory failure and placed on a ventilator. During the next five months repeated attempts to wean her from the respirator were unsuccessful; she was conscious, aware of her surroundings, and could recognize her family.

• What information is needed for the healthcare team to proceed with treatment?
• Who would conduct that conversation?
• What information would that conversation include?
• Who would need to make the final decision and how would that be decided?

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