The case of Terri Shiavo

On February 25, 1990 Terri Schiavo suffered a cardiac arrest which resulted in severe brain injury leaving her in an irreversible vegetative state, all food and fluids had to be delivered to her via feeding tube. After years of experimental therapies and treatments Michael Schiavo, her husband, was able to accept the diagnosis and he believed that his wife would not want to be kept alive indefinitely in her condition. “ the right of competent patients to refuse unwanted medical treatment, including artificial hydration and nutrition, is a settled ethical and legal issue in this country—based on the right to bodily integrity” (Quill, 2005, p.1631). The problem in this case was the definition of family and how it is to be decided when members disagree with what is determined to be in the best interest of the patient. Michael wanted the feeding tube removed, her parents did not. It was left up to the courts to decide. After nine years Terri Schiavo was allowed to have her feeding tube removed and she died 13 days later on March 31, 2005 (Quill, 2005). There is an obligation to all patients and families to include in our nursing care the patients’ rights to refuse medical treatment if they feel that it is not in their best interest. As healthcare professionals we may not always agree with their decision but it is not our place to decide what is best for them. It is our place to provide them with the quality healthcare that they rightly deserve, support their decision and advise them of the consequences if they choose to not follow the recommended plan of care. It is unfortunate when it becomes necessary for the courts to become involved in the decision making process, which can take years for the final decisions, endless trips to court, the appeals process and then a final decision. Can you find another historical ethical case that uses the principle of ethics?