bioethics.net News Update - End-of-Life Issues

Slow medicine

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:05:08 EDT

The "slow medicine" movement aims to take a less aggressive approach to medical care at the end of life. It emphasizes comfort over care. And it might also be cheaper.

Study: use of euthanasia falling in the Netherlands

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:26:48 EDT

The study, published in BMJ, reports that the use of deep sedation until death is increasing there.

Could antibiotics be considered futile care in some cases?

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:30:21 EST

The authors of a study of antibiotic use in nursing homes report that the drugs are being overused and should possibly be withheld from patients with advanced dementia. They say the use of antibiotics in these kinds of situations is a danger to public health because of the potential for the germs developing resistance.

Georgia case tests physicians' power to stop life support

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST

According to current Georgia law, the power to stop care for a patient considered to be brain-dead sits not with the family, but with doctors.

Lawsuit prompts "existential" questions about death and bodies

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:40:55 EST

A class action suit in Ohio argues that a deceased person's next of kin should make all decisions regarding the disposition of that person's body parts. The suit stems from a case in which a coroner disposed of a deceased man's brain without the knowledge of the family.

NJ to look at end-of-life care

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:21:46 EST

Medical officials from around the state will meet next month to discuss ways of improving pain management and reducing futile treatment.

Longer lives equal lost money

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:36:26 EST

Patients who are living longer than expected are leading to financial losses for some hospice providers as they exceed federal reimbursement limits. The feds say the problem might be one of mismanagement, but the hospice industry contends that it stems in part from more non-cancer patients being referred to hospice care.

Patients Prefer Simpler To Complex Forns

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 04:58:19 EDT

Inspired by her time on an ethics committee, a UCSF researcher designed a simplified advanced directive form, and now new research shows patients prefer the redesigned form, written at a fifth grade reading level and illustrated with basic drawings.

Death Special: The Plan for Eternal Life

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:02:16 EDT

Transhumanists aim to get rid of death altogether. Find out what sort of future they have in mind.

Vital Signs

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 07:33:40 EDT

Advances in diagnostics and medicine are yet again changing our definition of death - and may eventually break down the concept altogether.

Poorer Nations Seek Help on Pain Relief

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 07:13:58 EDT

Nearly 400 concerts are to be held around the world to raise awareness of the need for affordable pain relief.

Care of Dying is Outlined by WHO

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 08:16:17 EDT

Saying that "everyone has the right to be treated, and die, with dignity," the World Health Organization yesterday issued its first guide to planning end-of-life care.

Fewer Blacks Receive End-of-Life Hospice Care

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 04:39:45 EDT

African-Americans are less likely than whites to receive end-of-life care from a hospice program, particularly for diseases other than cancer, a new study suggests.

Scrutiny for Insurers of the Aged

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 08:53:27 EDT

The top-ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee has asked 11 long-term care insurance companies to explain "troubling data" regarding how policyholders' claims are handled and paid.

Assisted Suicide Fears Unfounded

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 05:37:18 EDT

Concerns that legalized assisted death would be used to kill vulnerable people have not played out, a new study shows.