Now Doctors Decide Who Should Get CPR And Who Shouldn't?

Not unexpected, but chilling – now the academics are proposing that doctors decide who will receive CPR and who will not, depending, among other things, on whether resuscitating the patient is cost effective.

Do Not Resuscitate Orders: Time for Another Change

Walk through almost any medical intensive care unit in the country and you will encounter patients with terminal diseases who received CPR despite having had no chance of meaningful recovery from their conditions.

Alarmed at this situation, a group of end-of-life specialists wants to transform how physicians approach the issue of resuscitating severely ill patients. In an era of misused medical technology and rising health care costs, especially at the end of life, we should listen.

An article, which appears in the March 7, 2012 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, proposes giving physicians more authority in restricting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from patients they do not believe would benefit. more

Horror Story: UK Doctor Sees Medicalized Killing As Just Peachy

UK elderly beware! Read this “glowing” report of medicalized murder by the doctor who wrote the piece. Arrogant and cold – all trying to look like “peace and light.” These are the monsters that roam the halls of NHS hospitals.

'Nurses helped my Gran to die'

Nurses withdrew my Gran's medication - but don't call the police.

A few months ago, my Gran died. She had terminal cancer, so it was expected. She slipped away quietly in a side room on a medical ward of a provincial teaching hospital, with my sister and me holding her hand and talking to her gently. It was a delicate, humane and peaceful end. On her death certificate, it says she died of septic shock, pneumonia and metastatic lung cancer. But that’s not what killed her. She was killed by a nurse. more

Canada: Doctors Quick To Call For Ending Life Support

Nah, really? Study finds that Canadian medicos are quick to call for removal of life support among the brain injured. Can we say pro-death Doctor Power? You bet.

CANADIAN DOCTORS QUICK TO PUSH FAMILIES OF BRAIN-INJURED TO WITHDRAW TREATMENT, STUDY REVEALS

This week, a shocking study was published in the Journal of the Canadian Medical Association (CMAJ).  The study of six different Canadian trauma centers found that the majority of deaths in patients suffering a traumatic brain injury resulted from the withdrawal of life support, generally within the first three days of ICU admission.

“Our findings are particularly concerning because many decisions to withdraw life-sustaining therapy were made early,” writes Dr. Alexis F. Turgeon et al. “[I]n our study, 64% of patients who died within three days of admission to an ICU had life-sustaining therapy withdrawn. In some instances, this may be too early for accurate neuroprognostication.” more

When Medical Care Fails, Pro-Deathers Win

These are the kinds of horror stories that fuel the pro-deathers' wish for death on demand. Here is a seriously medically disabled woman who is clearly not getting adequate medical care, psychological help, and pain management. Note that the doctors keep making all the decisions for her - a classic case of doctor power. Also, correction: This woman did NOT try to "euthanize" herself - she tried to commit suicide.

Chronic fatigue victim Theda Myint locked up at Fremantle Hospital after euthanasia attempt

A Perth woman battling chronic fatigue syndrome was committed to the locked ward of Fremantle Hospital after an attempt to euthanise herself in a desperate bid to address her crippling condition.

Theda Myint, 34, has grappled with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) – better known as chronic fatigue syndrome – for 11 years. The condition has left her bedridden with crippling migraines, severe body pain and an extremely low tolerance to light and noise.

She and her mother, Carol Adams, have campaigned to raise awareness of the condition, which they say is commonly misunderstood in the medical world.

The pair have also lobbied the state government to subsidise her medical treatments, which they say must be administered in the home due to the debilitating nature of her condition, but their requests have so far been rebuffed. more

Canadian Government Tries To Keep Medical Decisions Under Wraps

Hardly surprising, but significant nevertheless. Canadian hospitals are fighting for the right to keep certain medical decisions under covers. Gee, one wonders what they are afraid of.

Liberals quietly push hospital secrecy bill

After its $1-billion e-health scandal, Ontario vowed to allow greater access to

hospital records to improve public transparency. But the ruling Liberals are now backing off that pledge before legislation that was to take effect in 2012.

Midway through the province’s recent 328-page budget, a single line pointed to a change that nurses and a patient advocate say would cripple any move toward greater accountability.

The change would allow hospitals to continue to hide records used to assess patient safety or services — from medical mistakes, to changes needed to improve patient care. more

Unfortunate Truth: Many Hospices Support Euthanasia

I have no way of verifying the claims made by the nurse in this story. However, if true, I would not be surprised. Hospice killing patients? Yes, unfortunately, it happens regularly. If you or a loved one considers hospice, ask many questions and be very careful to make sure they support life and not killing.

Catholic nurse recounts hospice horror, says doctor euthanized priest

Some will recall that March 31 was the sixth anniversary of the court-ordered murder of Terri Schiavo.

Terri's execution was, according to Ron Panzer, president of Hospice Patients Alliance, "accomplished at The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast." He notes that the hospice's CEO, Mary Labyak, "has been a member of the board of directors of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization as well as Partnership for Caring, a successor to the Euthanasia Society of America."

Panzer also notes that Michael Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, a euthanasia advocate, was chairman of Suncoast's board when Terri was brought there for the purpose of killing her. more

Naked Doctor Power In The Netherlands

Just in case you've missed this in other stories, here's a perfect example of what I have long called "Doctor Power." Doctor Power is that authoritarian, arrogant air that many medicos display in telling everyone, patient and loved ones included, that they, the doctors will do what they like and others' wishes be damned. This story is from the Netherlands, but it happens thousands of times all over the world, including here in the US.

Netherlands: Debate over euthanasia resurrected after court rules to cease a patient's artificial respiration

A terminally ill 67-year-old man interned at the Máxima Medisch Centrum – a hospital facility in the southern Dutch town of Veldhoven died last week after doctors stopped artificial respiration despite his wife’s protests. According to Radio Netherlands Worldwide news service, a day before the physicians ended the respiration support, a court in Den Bosch had rejected his wife’s request for an injunction which would have forced the hospital to continue treatment. more

Aussie Nurse Union Boss In Bed With Pro-Deathers

Shocked I tell you, just shocked . . . .  (not really, this is all so predictable): First, that an Aussie nurses' union endorses euthanasia, and second, lo and behold, their stance is from the pro-deather talking point list.

Nurses union boss endorses euthanasia

Nurses are the front line of health care so their views on euthanasia matter a lot. That’s why it was so surprising to read an editorial in the Australian Nursing Journal by the president of the Australian Nursing Federation, Coral Levett, which endorses it wholeheartedly. It is a personal endorsement, but since her union has 200,000 members, her personal views are likely to influence policy-making within the Australian Labor Party, and even in the Gillard government. more

Another Case Of Doctor Power In Florida

Here's another instance of what I call Doctor Power - medical arm-twisting whether loved ones like it or not. Here a 19 year-old is on life support & had signed up to be an organ donor. His parents initially went along with the donation, but then changed their minds - the medicos weren't too happy, although the parents (for now) have prevailed.

Doctors follow parents' decision over brain-dead son

Joe and Barbara Austin spent most of the weekend horrified that Charlotte Regional Medical Center might turn off life support and harvest the organs of their 19-year-old son against their will. more

Aussie Pro-Deathers Look For End-Run If Euthanasia Not Legalized

More on the Aussie euthanasia debate, and a good example of how the pro-deathers attack on many fronts at the same time. Not only are they trying to legalize medical killing, but they’re also trying to introduce legislation that would exempt doctors who kill their patients in case the euthanasia law doesn't pass.

Health Minister backs doctor defence bill

Health Minister John Hill says proposed legal changes to give South Australian doctors a defence for administering medication which may cause death do not open the door for legalising euthanasia.

He is supporting a private member's bill put forward in State Parliament which would provide a defence if a medical practitioner were charged under the Criminal Law Consolidation Act for administering medicine which may hasten death.

Mr Hill says it is not about people having the right to euthanasia. more

Oh So Lucky: Brit Doctor Thinks Newborns Should Die to Save Money

Just what we need - another Brit doctor calling for letting newborns die because keeping them alive is too expensive and, oh, by the way, their body parts are really useful after they're dead. Revolting.

Doctor Advises Euthanasia for 23-Week Premature Babies

A Kiwi trained doctor settled in Britain has raised doubts about her expertise after she suggested that premature babies born at 23 weeks should not be provided any care. The medical professional in question is Dr. Daphne Austin, who feels that keeping the babies alive through medical aid just elongates their suffering. more

UK: Kill Your Patients, Become A Pro-Death Hero: Sick, Sick Sick

See how this works? Be a doctor. Kill your patients. Avoid murder charges. Become an icon for the pro-death movement. All the more reason to chat with your doctor top see if they are on the pro-death side or not.

'Time for mercy killing debate'

A GP who admitted giving lethal doses of painkillers to his patients has called for a national debate on euthanasia, saying it is already common practice in hospitals.

But Dr Howard Martin, the former County Durham GP, who learnt this week that he will not face a second trial for the murder of three patients, has called on others to lead the discussion, saying he now wants a quiet life. more

Why Don't Medicos Ever Sue To Keep People Alive??

Well, there are many issues here, but let me make one point that I think is vital: We now live in a world where HOSPITALS and DOCTORS sue next of kin, saying they know better than the next of kin what should happen with the patient. Do they ever sue to keep people alive?? Uh-huh, I have some ocean-front property in Arizona. . . .

Wife's surprise shakes Barnes case

Lana Barnes entered Hennepin County Probate Court Wednesday morning determined to win aggressive care for her frail husband and remain his medical decision-maker. more

Art Caplan Is Too Optimistic

Transparency alert: Art Caplan, commenting on something I said quite a while ago, called me a “cockeyed optimist.” I took that as a compliment. What he says in this piece is mostly useful, but he’s spinning nevertheless. He’s at pains (sorry) to say that if you choose all kinds of medical care at the end of your life, no prob. Really? This in a world where doctors are trained first and foremost as utilitarian bean counters and where whatever fine document you have saying what you want is easily overridden by doctor power? Now, maybe I can return the compliment.

Not a 'Death Panel': Call it 'Quality of Life'

I'm Art Caplan from the Center of Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania. Today I'd like to talk to you a little bit about end-of-life care planning. This has been a very controversial issue. At first, the Obama health reform included financial incentives for doctors to talk with their patients about end-of-life care planning, but it has been withdrawn from legislation because there has been pushback. Some people are arguing that this is a kind of rationing or almost a form of death panel discussion where you're trying to persuade people not to use medical resources. more

Canada: Doctor Power Flexes Its Arrogant Muscle

Doctor power at it’s most arrogant: In Canada, doctors are refusing to let a dying child go home with hi family until he dies. Remember: Doctors don’t always side with you or your loved ones – beware!

Shattered Ontario parents fight to bring ailing baby home to die

WINDSOR, Ont. — The parents of a dying baby are taking doctors in Ontario to court in hopes their little boy will be able to spend his last days at home, surrounded by family. more

Doctors Don't Always Respect Patients' Last Wishes!! What A Shock!!

Well, yes, we’d expect the medicos to respect or final wishes, wouldn’t we? Too bad in many places, including in this piece from Malta, that’s not nearly as accurate as you’d think.

Organ donors’ wishes to be respected even after death

Relatives would soon lose the right to revoke the wish of a deceased family member to donate body organs, Health Minister Joe Cassar said.

“An organ donor card doesn’t really mean much other than my wish when I am declared clinically dead,” Dr Cassar said, pointing out that, as things stood, any relative or next of kin could order the hospital not to abide by the deceased person’s wish. more

Minnesota Hospital Tries To Usurp Patient's Medical Proxy

You don’t think pro-deathers lurk among our medical types? Read this – a Minnesota hospital, on doctors’ advice, suing a wife who is demanding care for her husband that the doctors don’t want to give and think is useless. See? Even if you’re the designated, legal proxy for someone else, the medicos are so hell-bent on death that they may sue to rid you of your obligations. We’re s lucky, aren’t we?

Wrenching court case: Doctors vs. patient's wife

Al Barnes has been in eight hospitals in the past 10 months. His diagnoses include end-stage respiratory distress, renal failure, dementia and other maladies.

Now the 85-year-old from Scandia, Minn., is at the center of a wrenching and unusual court struggle over who will control his medical care.

A doctor at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park will go to court Wednesday, seeking to replace Barnes' wife with a substitute decision-maker and arguing that she is making futile and reckless decisions to prolong her husband's life. more

Coming Soon: Doctors To Be In trouble If They Won't Kill Their Patients

Yes, folks, this is where we are: The pro-deathers are pushing the idea that if a patient wants euthanasia, then who the hell are doctors to disagree? In other words, if you’re a doctor and you conscience determines that you shouldn’t kill your patients, you will have no choice but to listen to your patient - or get in trouble.

Does the Health Care Bill Violate 'Rights of Conscience'?

Now that there's a new Congress in session, there is renewed concern whether 'Rights of Conscience' of health care workers will continue to be protected under the new Health Care Bill. more

So It begins: UK Doctor Wants Limited Treatments For Elderly

So it continues in the UK: Now the medicos are calling for discriminating against the elderly by suggesting the NHS give them less care (cost cutting, anyone??). Can making a similar argument for people with disabilities be far behind?

Call for less aggressive treatment for elderly

A leading public health expert has called for the NHS to give elderly people less treatment as they approach the end of their lives.

Professor Phil Hanlon, a former adviser to the Scottish Executive, believes the health service is in danger of collapse unless drastic action is taken to halt its soaring costs.

In a controversial new book, he argues the elderly should be prescribed far fewer drugs and given fewer tests and procedures as they reach serious physical decline. more

Murdering Patients Is OK As Long As "There's No Other Option" Really?

Under Swiss law, this doctor is a murderer. But wait!! She pleaded not guilty because she had “no other choice” but to kill her patient. See? Argue that you’re powerless (except for being able to kill) and hey, presto!! You’re off the hook!! I’ll bet nobody challenged the good doctor about her knowledge of palliative care and pain management.

Case puts assisted suicide at a crossroads

The acquittal of a doctor accused of euthanasia has rekindled the debate on assisted suicide in Switzerland, ahead of votes at the cantonal level on the issue.

A regional criminal court in Boudry, canton Neuchâtel, ruled in December that the doctor had no choice when she took the final step to end the life of a terminally ill patient. The acquittal was made definitive in a ruling issued on Tuesday.

Direct active euthanasia is illegal in Switzerland but assisted suicide and passive euthanasia (mercy killing) are not. more