Hospitals across the America could enact do-not-resuscitate orders for coronavirus patients against family wishes as the harsh reality of the pandemic hits
In Chicago, the Northwestern Memorial Hospital has been debating how to implement a universal do-not-resuscitate policy for infected patients
Hospital administrators have asked Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker for assistance in clarifying how state law would permit a policy shift
Similar discussions around not resuscitating have been taking place at the George Washington University Hospital in D.C
They’ve decided, however, to continue using modified procedures to resuscitate patients with coronavirus
Bioethicist Scott Halpern at the University of Pennsylvania has authored a model guideline that has been heavily circulated by the medical community
Under Halpern’s guidelines, two physicians would be needed to make any calls
Their joint sign off on do-not-resuscitate orders would have to provide a reasoning for family members
The death toll for Covid-19 in the United States has risen to 1,000 with more than 68,000 confirmed cases
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By MATTHEW WRIGHT
DAILYMAIL.COM
26 March 2020
Doctors across the country are deciding whether to adopt standard policies for not resuscitating patients with coronavirus in an effort to curb possible virus exposure for medical staff.
In Chicago, the Northwestern Memorial Hospital has been debating how to implement a universal do-not-resuscitate policy for infected patients.
The policy would void the wishes of the patient or their family members.
The death toll for Covid-19 in the United States has risen to 1,000 with more than 68,000 confirmed cases, and the burden of the pandemic continues to intensify in hospitals across the country.
Richard Wunderink, an intensive-care medical director at the Chicago hospital, said administrators have asked Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker for assistance in clarifying how state law would permit a policy shift.
‘It’s a major concern for everyone,’ he explained to the Washington Post. ‘This is something about which we have had lots of communication with families, and I think they are very aware of the grave circumstances.’
Wunderink did describe patient health as a steady decline rather than a sudden drop, giving medical personnel time to discuss plans with family members.
Similar discussions around not resuscitating have been taking place at the George Washington University Hospital in D.C.
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