Medical treatment of severely impaired infants in New Zealand hospitals.
This study reports on the policies and procedures of paediatricians in 18 New Zealand hospitals with respect to the provision of medical treatment for severely handicapped infants who suffer from a life-threatening illness. None of the hospitals surveyed had specific regulations or codes of conduct that were to be followed by staff in providing medical treatment for such patients. Most of the respondents stated that in making decisions whether or not to provide treatment they gave consideration to the degree of disability, the disabled infant's future quality of life, and the family's quality of life. While almost all of the respondents said that they consulted parents on whether or not to treat their child, many of those who did so made it clear that medical personnel should carry the final responsibility. Few of the subjects said they consulted professionals other than those in the medical or nursing profession when making decisions on treatment. The paper concludes with a recommendation that there be an urgent debate on what policies and practices on treating severely handicapped infants should be followed in New Zealand.
Mitchell
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D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000628:therapy*; D004989:Ethics; D004991:Ethics, Institutional; D005066:Euthanasia, Passive; D005190:Family; D006761:Hospitals / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009520:New Zealand; D010290:Parents; D018579:Patient Selection; D010372:Pediatrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D028761:Withholding Treatment