Medical Ethics Advisor – May 1, 2006
May 1, 2006
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Schiavo’s legacy: Has anything really changed one year later?
Just over a year ago, Terri Schiavo was the center of worldwide attention in several different roles severely brain-injured bulimic, daughter and wife trapped in a public family fight, fuel for debates over right to life vs. right to refuse, and subject of endless talk show discussion. -
Can surrogates really know patients’ wishes?
Making end-of-life decisions for incapacitated patients most often falls to surrogates chosen by the patients, or to next of kin. But a recent review of the literature indicates that surrogates are only slightly better than physicians at making decisions that the patient would make if he or she were able. -
Investigation begins on allegations of euthanasia
The criminal investigation of hospitals and health care providers in New Orleans has cast an unusual light on a group whose primary mission is to heal. -
Rate of physician-assisted suicide in Oregon stable
The number of Oregon residents who ended their lives in 2005 by employing the states legal physician-assisted suicide law was twice the number that it was in 1998, the first year after the law was passed. -
Sexual misconduct requires firm stance
Sexual misconduct or harassment of patients in health care can be a major liability risk and probably happens more than you think, say a risk manager and attorney who are experienced in dealing with such issues. -
Why do workers just say ‘no’ to flu shots?
Infection control professionals adopting policies requiring workers to sign declination statements if they forgo influenza vaccination can expect to run into a persistent group of refuseniks with varied reasons for their recalcitrance. -
Ethicists discuss ties between HCWs, pharma
Conflicts of interest created when health care professionals form ties with the pharmaceutical industry are a mixed bag, according to experts from the Veterans Health Administrations (VHA) National Center for Ethics in Health Care. -
News Briefs
Association addresses spirituality, medicine; Ontario transplant act triples organ donations; Patients recount ideal physician behaviors