Supporting
the process
of making an ADRT |
|
|
Ethical Dilemma - 7
You are a paramedic and are attending a person with
advanced motor neurone disease at their home. The call
was made by an agency nurse who was there by chance
doing a wound dressing. The patient has collapsed and
is unconscious. You have been told by your call centre
that the patient has an ADRT and has refused cardiopulmonary
resuscitation.
You enter the room and the nurse is performing basic
life support. The nurse claims that she started resuscitation
as this was her agency policy. The wife returns home
and asks what is happening,
What do you do?
Discussion
It would be imperative to quickly establish the facts.
This is important as there might have been an event
not anticipated by the ADRT such as he have choked
on a piece of food that could be easily cleared. If
after establishing that the situation is anticipated
and the ADRT is and remains valid in the circumstances
as described it would be unlawful to continue treatment.
This situation could be established by talking with
the wife, reading a copy of the ADRT (if available
in a timely fashion) and discussion with the attending
nurse.
If there is any reasonable element of doubt treatment
can and should be provided to the patient. Time might
be then used to further qualify the clinical and legal
position once the patient is safe / stabilised. |
|
|
|
 |
