Quote:
Originally Posted by Rico
I may be wrong, but the only time life support is allowed to be disconnected is when the decision is being made by the next of kin and the patient is unconcious. I know that people have the right to refuse life saving measures, but once in place, I do not think a patient can have himself taken off the machines because it is viewed as being suicide.
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A living will with a "Do Not Resuscitate" clause would dictate how a person would want any decision regarding life support to be handled when the time arose. Having this documentation from the patient would greatly relieve the family members from having to make that difficult decision regarding their loved one.
If a patient had demonstrated that they were in full use of their mental capacities when they were on their death bed and they were being administered life support even without a living will, then the physician would be hard pressed not to go along with the wishes of the patient.
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