Category / Capacity / Case Studies / Competency / Medical Ethics / Medical Ethics and Policy Guidance
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![The word respect on multicolored material.]()
Case Study – Personhood in the Age of Dementia
Bioethics case study on personhood and dementia in video and print. Patients should be allowed to make their own medical decisions, which means a person should be allowed to make their own medical decisions. But how do you define what a person is regarding cognitive decline in patients and dementia?
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![Empty wheelchair.]()
Case Study – Ethical Dilemma in Difficult Discharge Planning
Bioethics case study on an ethical dilemma in difficult discharge planning . The hospital cannot discharge him back to the care facility where he was previously living because they are unable to provide dialysis services, meaning he would need to be transferred to another location that can accommodate his medical needs. However, his legal guardian refuses the transfer.
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![A scale weighing 2 question marks.]()
Case Study – Aaron’s Siblings Need to Make a Tough Decision
Bioethics case study on shared decision making in video or print. Aaron’s siblings, who are wanting aggressive measures, are now unsure and need to make a tough decision.
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![A man's legs.]()
Case Study – Whose Decision?
Jorge replies, “I don’t want to die! But please, please, don’t cut off my legs! Please, Doctor! No one will take my legs! I can’t live without legs!”
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Case Study – “God will restore his leg. The doctors will see.” Patient Nonadherence.
Collin takes a moment to further underscore the complications and consequences that may arise from not having the leg amputated, including death, but it appears Xiang has made up his mind.
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![Pregnant belly.]()
Case Study – “You are Violating My HIPAA rights.” Patient Privacy
Skyler is a 33-year-old female, who is 38.5 weeks pregnant and came to the hospital in labor. When she presented to the hospital, Skyler was given the standard admission paperwork, and signed without any questions or issues (although was in considerable distress due to active labor and did not have anyone else at the hospital with her). The patient is relatively well known to the hospital, having presented several times due in fact to her history of drug and substance abuse.
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![Woman in fighting stance with fighting gear on.]()
Case Study – Continue to Fight? Patient Decision-Making Changes
Sarah is a 73-year-old individual who identifies as female and is suffering from metastatic colon cancer. While an inpatient, she is cared for by her longtime oncologist, hospitalists, and ultimately a critical care team. Initially Sarah has decision-making capacity, Sarah makes decisions with her family (husband and two adult children).
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![Man's legs sitting in wheelchair.]()
Case Study – Don’t Take My Foot! Surrogate Decision-Making
The patient, Lockett, is an 82-year-old male, admitted for shortness of breath and complications from his diabetes. Lockett has been diabetic for over 10 years and has not been following the treatment plan outlined by his physicians.
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![Older couple walking arm in arm on nature path.]()
Case Study – Maxine’s New Love and Decisional Capacity
The patient, Maxine, is an 88-year-old female, admitted due to shortness of breath and complications due to severe dementia. Maxine is well known at the hospital, having followed her for several years including the death of her husband, original dementia diagnosis, and monitoring of her progression.
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![A stream with a fishing person standing on the rocks.]()
Case Study – The Avid Outdoorsman and Quality of Life
The patient is a 45-year-old male with chronic cardiac issues. If the current standard continues, the patient is not expected to live past the next five years. It is recommended that the patient undergo a surgical procedure that will add several years to his life expectancy.
