I would request that only medical professionals answer my question.....
My grandmother had ESRD and was on dialysis. She had been slightly confused for a few weeks and was walking leaning to the side. She did not realize she was walking this way. Her condition worsened quickly and her dialysis was not 100%. She was found with her toungue sticking out and was very confused. She was then admitted to the hospital. MRI and head CT were negative...no evidence of CVA.
She had signed a DNR and refused to have another fistula in the past.
She was admitted to the hospital and was not given ANYTHING! No food, IV, liquids,absolutely NOTHING!
I questioned the doctor and he stated it would be easier on her this way and that she was going to die. She layed there for 9 days waning in and out of consciousness and only had food and drink that I gave her(the nurses said I could feed her small amounts but they could not)
She passed away and I live with this nightmare of -did they kill her?
OK a little more details...
she had DM and ESRD. She had been on dialysis for a few years. She began walking leaning way over to one side. When I corrected her position she would say "I did not know I was doing that" She began getting worse and started falling. Her dialysis was not working as well but she refused to have another fistula. I knew things were going bad for her and that she probably was taking a turn for the worse. The day she was admitted she was found at dialysis with her tongue out and altered LOC. When admitted it was assumed she had had a CVA but the CT and MRI were unremakable. I am a medical professional and I know that it is not normal to withold EVERYTHING from a DNR patient. She layed there for 9 days starving and asking for food and drink. She was in and out of consciousness.
They with held all of her DM meds and did not check her BS or anything. She had no IV. I was furious but the doctor did nothing and said it was best.
Thank-you Emidly. I would love to talk with you further since you work with Dialysis patients. Are you a nurse? Do you know how long you have to bring something like this to court?
Thanks.....
mou
I think you need to give us more details.
Maggie F
I am so sorry about your grandmother. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Emidly
First, I am very sorry for your loss.
I am a medical professional, and It is my opinion that you should really seek legal help. Bring your case to a few lawyers and ask their advice.
While you can not bring your grandmother back, if you can stop this doctor from treating other patients in this way, you will have done an incredible thing.
In my experience, a DNR is only applicable to full code situations. It only states that the patient does not want to have CPR if they were ever in the situation that they might need it.
You should check if your grandmother had any other form of an advance directive. It would be this document that the MD would need to consult if she was in and out of consciousness and unable to make decisions about her care.
If there was no advance directive in place stating that your grandmother wished to be treated in exactly this way, I feel like you have a legal case.
Furthermore, the MD should be happy to explain EXACTLY why he was making those decisions and withholding treatment and nourishment to your grandmother. If he does not feel like it is necessary to explain the situation to her family, there is a problem.
I wish you the best.
Good Luck.
Orignal From: medical negligence?
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