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Ethical Decision Making Debra Field University of Phoenix MGT 350: Critical Thinking: Strategies in Decision Making Group PA02BSM08 Eugene Kaufman, MBA March 5, 2003 Ethical Decision Making Paper Technological advancements in the medical field make it possible for everyone to live on life support, if they so wish, far beyond their time to die either from natural causes, or as the direct result of illness or injury. If an individual has the inclination, and the finances, it is possible to indefinitely postpone death with the aid of life support. Regardless of how far-fetched this may sound, the potential is there. One must consider the alternatives and consequences when making the decision as to whether or not the patient remains on life support. The case study states the patient was in a terrible accident; however, it does not state what triggered the coma. In the medical world today, life support systems are utilized to keep otherwise dead patients alive, in hope they will regain consciousness. In most cases, keeping an individual on life support causes undue anxiety, heartache, and financial burden on the patient’s family and loved ones. These reasons alone are enough to support the right to terminate treatment. Furthermore, by terminating life support “…a fatal pathological condition is allowed to take its natural course…” (Cunningham, 2002). Death rarely only affects the deceased; there are usually family members and friends who care about the person. In this case study, electing to sustain the patient by means of life support will, without doubt, ultimately mean financial ruin for the family. Perhaps a more relevant consideration is: who sustains the financial burden once the patient’s finances and insurance are exhausted, and the hospital is forced to transfer the patient to a county facility? The obvious answer is the taxpayers. Furthermore, should the patient remain on life support for an undetermined amount of time (maybe even years), the likelihood of recovery is significantly lowered. The more time spent on life support, the longer the family suffers the psychological burden of not knowing whether he will, or will not recover.
Approximate Word count = 1314
Approximate Pages = 5.3
(250 words per page double spaced)
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