Mr. Blake is a 61-year-old gentleman suffering from respiratory distress after being found down and unresponsive outside. He has a history of mental health disorders, with which he has been inconsistent in treatment, and homelessness. Upon admission eight days ago, he was intubated but has not been able to regain consciousness and therefore cannot participate in medical decisions.

Mr. Blake does not have an advance directive or any known friends and/or family who can speak on his behalf. While his condition has not improved during hospitalization, it has also not declined. Several members of the medical team are questioning whether it is better to continue or withdraw aggressive measures.

Dr. Intera has been the primary attending throughout Mr. Blake’s hospitalization and has been advocating for continuing all current interventions. Dr. Intera believes that Mr. Blake simply needs more time and will likely improve in the coming days, despite the opinions of several other members of the care team. Other team members believe that Dr. Intera may be prolonging Mr. Blake’s death rather than saving his life and allowing his suffering to continue.

An ethics consult is requested.