Medical Ethics Advisor – October 1, 2017
October 1, 2017
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Patients Without Surrogates Pose Ethical Challenges at End of Life
The issue of incapacitated patients lacking surrogates has received growing attention, resulting in a newly updated position statement and several case studies.
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Unethical Marketing Practices for Stem Cell Treatments Continue
Recently passed legislation allows Texas clinics to bypass FDA approval for investigational stem cell treatments for patients with certain severe chronic diseases or terminal illnesses. The law alarmed ethicists who have been monitoring these practices.
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Can Intoxicated Patients Provide Informed Consent for Research?
It’s not uncommon for ED patients to present with acute intoxication. This complicates not only their clinical care, but also the informed consent process. A recent study set out to determine to what extent acute alcohol intoxication affects capacity to assent, consent, or refuse research participation.
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Revised Common Rule Is Changing Informed Consent
The recently updated Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects, also called the Common Rule, is changing informed consent practices in two important ways.
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Study: Only About One-third of Adults Completed Advance Directives
Only about one-third (37%) of U.S. adults had completed any type of advance directive, found a recent review of studies.
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‘Ever-Expanding Options’ Prolong Life, but Spark Conflicts
Surrogates may be struggling to let go of a loved one, may not understand clinical realities, or may have religious or cultural beliefs about withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining medical interventions. Regardless of the reason, families sometimes want to “do everything” when the clinical team feels it’s time to stop.