Feeding Tube Withdrawn From Patient With No Living Will
MAY 27, 2002 VOLUME 9, NUMBER 48 One way to help assure that you will not receive unwanted medical care is to sign an advance medical directive. Every U.S. state now recognizes health care powers of attorney (sometimes called health care proxies) or living wills. Nearly all states recognize both types of documents. Often, however, […]
Evidence of Living Will Intent Must Be Clear and Convincing
OCTOBER 15, 2001 VOLUME 9, NUMBER 16 Many patients approaching the end of life feel very strongly that they would not want to be kept alive by feeding tubes, artificial breathing machines or other devices. Signing appropriate advance directives helps, but there is no guarantee that they will be located, properly understood and followed in […]
Court Refuses Permission For Withdrawal Of Feeding Tube
AUGUST 13, 2001 VOLUME 9, NUMBER 7 Twice before we have told the unfolding and tragic story of Robert Wendland. Fate and the California Supreme Court have now written the final two chapters in the saga. You may recall that Robert Wendland was injured when his truck rolled over in 1993. Mr. Wendland had been […]
Tube Feedings May Not Help Emaciated, Bed-Ridden Patient
DECEMBER 18, 2000 VOLUME 8, NUMBER 25 Frail, demented nursing home patients can eventually lose the ability to take food and fluids by mouth. When that process begins to occur tube feedings may be started. Doctors and family members may believe that such feedings prolong life and improve the ability to fight bedsores and disease. […]
“Wrongful Prolongation of Life” Suit Dismissed In Indiana
MAY 1, 2000 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 44 It has taken three decades to establish, but the notion of patient self-determination is now firmly entrenched in American law. A patient has the right to instruct that life-sustaining medical care be withheld or removed. To protect against future treatment, an individual can execute a living will and/or […]
Appellate Court Ruling May Allow Feeding Tube Removal
MARCH 6, 2000 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 36 Just over eighteen months ago Elder Law Issues reported on the tragic story of Robert Wendland (“Lack of Advance Directives Contributes to Family Tragedy,” August 10, 1998). Last week the California Court of Appeals added a new chapter to the Wendland story, and may have completely changed the […]