Monday, December 15, 2014

End of Life Decisions


  Late in November, the Pastoral Care Committee hosted a talk by Linda Cliff.  As many of you know, Linda has many years of experience as a nurse with Victoria Hospice.  Her topic was "Doctor Assisted Suicide," a timely, and difficult subject.   Here are her notes from that conversation.




  The discussion about Physician Assisted Death and Euthanasia is big news these days.  Presently there is a private members bill being presented in parliament and the province of Quebec continues with its discussions about PAD.  As Boomers age, I predict this will become a topic that will be debated in our homes as well as the courts.  The following definitions may help you to understand the terms that will be used in this discussion.

EUTHANASIA
Deliberate actions taken by a physician with the intent to terminate the life of a patient.  The procedure is to administer a lethal drug and the successful outcome is immediate death. 

PHYSICIAN ASSISTED DEATH
A doctor intentionally helping a person to commit suicide by providing drugs for self administration, at the person’s voluntary and competent request.

PALLIATIVE SEDATION THERAPY
The use of a specific sedative medications to relieve intolerable suffering from refractory symptoms by a reduction in patient consciousness using appropriate drugs carefully titrated.

REFRATORY SYMPTOM
A symptom which cannot be adequately controlled despite aggressive therapy.

CONSEQUENTIAL SEDATION
An unintended but sometimes expected side effect of some drugs used in symptom control.  It may be temporary or transient but could be persistent.

Many fear that legislation in Canada would be the beginning of a “slippery slope” and the possibility of abuse of the laws would be an issue.  These statistics from Belgium support such fears:
  • 32% of assisted deaths are done without request.
  • 47% of assisted deaths go unreported.
  • in many cases it is nurses who administer the medications, not physicians.

Each of us will develop our own opinion of which side of the argument we wish to support.  We must ensure that our opinions are based on information rather than emotion. 
Advance Care Planning is a way for you to become involved in your own health.  You may find the following web sites helpful.

Taken from a talk by Linda Cliff


November 25, 2014

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