Life-sustaining technologies: value issues.
This article examines life-extending technologies such as resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, antibiotics, dialysis, and artificial nutrition and hydration. It considers these technologies in terms of the value issues of (1) equity of access, (2) equity of allocation, (3) cost-effectiveness and appropriateness of use, (4) legal concerns, and (5) determination and control of the application of technology. How we resolve these issues tests our character as individuals and as a society--it plays a key role in determining who shall live and what kind of society we shall become.
Kapp
M B
MB
Department of Community Health, Wright State University School of Medicine, Box 927, Dayton, OH 45401-0927, USA.
D000367:Age Factors; D020811:Biomedical Technology / Q000941:ethics*; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics*; D006292:Health Priorities; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000941:ethics; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008484:Medicaid; D018447:Medical Futility; D006278:Medicare; D018529:Nutritional Support; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission; D018579:Patient Selection; D010819:Physician's Role; D011640:Public Policy; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D040841:Resource Allocation / Q000941:ethics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution; D012935:Social Justice; D012945:Social Values; D014481:United States; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical; D028761:Withholding Treatment