title: Critical incident: reflection on the process of terminal weaning.
abstract: The article uses critical incident analysis to reflect on the process of terminal weaning. Terminal weaning is defined in the context of withdrawing ventilatory support when the expected outcome is the patient's death. Basic ethical concepts are identified, and the role of the nurse in ethical decision making is discussed in relation to the associated professional and legal issues. Conflict exists between professional and legal accountability in relation to advocacy. Caution is advised with regard to nurses becoming involved in the decision to terminally wean, and its practice.
authors.affiliation: Leighton Hospital, Crewe, Cheshire.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keen
mesh_terms: D026686:Beneficence; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003657:Decision Making; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006113:United Kingdom; D015300:Ventilator Weaning / Q000941:ethics / Q000451:nursing