Book promotes giving patients more control at the end
By Peter Whoriskey, Washington Post
In a book, “The Conversation”, physician Angelo E. Volandes argues that the the U.S. healthcare system is failing patients in their final acts: Americans are botching death.
The problem is that hospitals and doctors are pre-programmed to “do everything” for dying patients – that is, attempt every last measure to prolong life, even if its probably futile, painful and unwanted.
To a certain kind of Washington policy wonk, the trouble with “doing everything” is that it causes soaring medical costs and billion-dollar financial woes.
But those are not the concerns of Volandes, a Harvard researcher who practices as a hospitalist. Instead, he sees the extreme end-of-life measures as a tragedy for patients – a tragedy that could be prevented if only doctors asked patients what they want. The patients are the ones who must bid farewell to life being poked and prodded and filled with tubes by strangers in the hospital.
Interesting concept, being able to control your own death. I actually have a tattoo with my electrocardiograph showing my heart rate and then going to flatline. Right above that I have the letters DNR in bold red. I located this right above my heart so the ER, Doctor’s, First Responders and anyone else who is at the scene making decisions for my life will know my wishes. That said, the insurance company’s will never allow us the dignity of making our own decision as long as we have insurance.
Very simple answer here for this scenario of your wishes when you are on life support or to incapacitated to speak for yourself, etc. Simply “Google”
Directive Form print it out(free), fill it out with as you wish, in my case “no heroic efforts to sustain my life artificially” (pull the plug)have it notarize, make copies, keep one for your self and spouse, partner, etc. Send copy to a trusted relative, brother, sister, trusted friend, etc.
It’s over by law, no hardships on family, etc.
Mr. Curtzwiler:
Ingenious idea to have your DNR Directive permanently placed above your heart and likely the only guaranteed way of ensuring that your wishes can’t be misconstrued or ignored. I don’t think that being dead is what’s to be feared—it’s how you get there that’s the b**ch. Medical personnel are trained to prolong life and I’ve witnessed too many doctors recommend that patients who could never recover be kept alive at all costs and that their lives be extended for possibly another few months in a hospital bed hooked up to too many tubes to count rather than allowing them to expire. It’s painful enough to lose someone you love—it’s even worse to watch them suffer needlessly for extended time periods because their physician doesn’t have the courage to accept that they can’t heal everyone and that people die.
Your tattoo idea is a very good one. Thank you for sharing that.
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