Clinical
Jim is a 20-year-old patient who sustained massive head trauma and neurological injury in an automobile accident. After three days in the SICU, the trauma
surgeon begins determination of brain death protocol. His parents are attentive, as is the long-time girlfriend. Many friends, community members, and
teachers visit and offer support. The patient’s mother works in the medical field and each time a ‘test’ or ‘procedure’ is conducted, she leaves the room. The
father and girlfriend seem to comprehend the meaning of brain death, but the mother refuses to discuss her son’s prognosis.
Jim has identified himself as a “first person consent organ donor” on his driver’s license. His father seems open to his decision. His girlfriend is certain that
donation reflects Jim’s generous spirit. Jim’s mother opposes the idea and has threatened to get a court injunction to delay the withdrawal of life sustaining
treatments even after brain death has been declared. Palliative care and ethics are present and have intervened. The representative from the OPO, per the
request of the staff, has not approached the family for fear of backsliding on a negotiated accepted time to remove the ventilator.
Please answer these questions based on the above information. What are the medical issues/values in this case?
What are the ethical issues/values in this case?
What are the spiritual issues/values in this case?
What is the significance to the healthcare industry?
Do you feel there is enough information for you to make a decision?
What other information do you think is necessary?
What directives (From the ERDs) apply in this case, and why did you choose these?
What does the literature tell you about this case?
After your analysis, what is your recommendation?