Monday, April 25, 2005
Orac talks about a case where a brain-dead 13-year old boy is being kept alive on a respirator
"Even worse is that a lawyer would file such an outrageous motion. Although I rarely agree with hospital flacks, in this case, I have to agree with Montefiore's spokesman, who said: 'The case and what this lawyer is doing is atrocious and a disservice to this family.' Indeed. The family has just endured a horrific tragedy. They can be certainly be excused if they are not thinking objectively or are unable to understand brain death. The lawyer cannot be excused for pursuing court action in a case like this."
"Even worse is that a lawyer would file such an outrageous motion. Although I rarely agree with hospital flacks, in this case, I have to agree with Montefiore's spokesman, who said: 'The case and what this lawyer is doing is atrocious and a disservice to this family.' Indeed. The family has just endured a horrific tragedy. They can be certainly be excused if they are not thinking objectively or are unable to understand brain death. The lawyer cannot be excused for pursuing court action in a case like this."
Posted by Kevin |
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Comments:
Thanks for the plug. FYI, I found more information which puts the family's decision to sue in a whole new light. If it's an accurate account of how the hospital broke the news to the family, I can now completely understand why they did it, even though I still think it was very misguided. I posted an addendum at the end of my post explaining.
The reason why the lawyer is pursuing the case is because he wants to make money. This is unpardonable as he is making the endurance of the tragedy for the parents much worse.
The reason the hospital even treated him in the first place is because they wanted to make money! The bastards!!
# posted by 
: 10:15 PM
: 10:15 PM
Actually, no.
By the news reports I've seen, Taran's family is poor and on Medicaid. Undoubtedly, even if things hadn't gone so awfully, horribly wrong, the hospital would have lost money on Taran's care, because Medicaid reimbursement is so low.
By the news reports I've seen, Taran's family is poor and on Medicaid. Undoubtedly, even if things hadn't gone so awfully, horribly wrong, the hospital would have lost money on Taran's care, because Medicaid reimbursement is so low.
Sadly, I have walked in this Mom’s shoes. I can offer a bit of advice:
The physician (not the nurse, clergy or social worker) needs to explain in non-medical terms what has occurred. Complete and accurate disclosure. If you don’t know what happened, tell them, but also tell them you will find out and follow up. If the physician is honest and kind and treats the parents with the respect and empathy they deserve, everyone will benefit. Give them time to let go. They will know. They may ask to hold/wash/dress the child. Let them. Different cultures have different rituals. Death may be commonplace to the medical community but it would not be if it were your child. Can you take the time to “listen to their heart”? You will become a better physician.
--dag--
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The physician (not the nurse, clergy or social worker) needs to explain in non-medical terms what has occurred. Complete and accurate disclosure. If you don’t know what happened, tell them, but also tell them you will find out and follow up. If the physician is honest and kind and treats the parents with the respect and empathy they deserve, everyone will benefit. Give them time to let go. They will know. They may ask to hold/wash/dress the child. Let them. Different cultures have different rituals. Death may be commonplace to the medical community but it would not be if it were your child. Can you take the time to “listen to their heart”? You will become a better physician.
--dag--
# posted by : 10:44 AM
: 10:44 AM
