I believe that the most important teaching/learning aspect that the caregivers, both medical and family, needed to understand when caring for patient #17 was the concept of AND. To put it into perspective, it isn’t unusual for the elderly population to put DNR on their advanced directive – they are elderly and no longer want to be in pain/suffering. However, it is unusual to see a pediatric patient with an AND order. AND, meaning to allow natural death is something that individuals with chronic illnesses will put in their advanced directives. This particular patient requested that no chest compressions or cardiac medications be utilized in the case of distress. This patient is nineteen years old and for her to have an AND order in place is
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Three doctors discussed the possibility of this procedure but only one brought it to the others’ attention that the patient may not even want the procedure done, because she is AND. Even these doctors were speaking about the patient and recommending measures that were very far from comfort measures and did not align with the patient’s wish. I also believe this is such an important concept for health care professionals (and those in training) to understand, but also, it’s very important for the patient’s family to understand as well. Does the family know that this AND order is in the patient’s best interest? Are they worried about such an order? Do they wish their daughter would not have this order? Personally, I think that this young girl is very brave for having this order into place. I completely respect this decision and support it because I believe that the patient’s interest is priority, especially in this case. How unfortunate would it be if this patient’s family thought that it was in their right to influence or make this patient feel guilty for her wishes. That is something that is also important for the patient’s family to understand because by understanding the motives and reasons for the patient’s decision, they can become active caregivers and participate in the comfort measures that the patient wants and needs at this time in their
Three doctors discussed the possibility of this procedure but only one brought it to the others’ attention that the patient may not even want the procedure done, because she is AND. Even these doctors were speaking about the patient and recommending measures that were very far from comfort measures and did not align with the patient’s wish. I also believe this is such an important concept for health care professionals (and those in training) to understand, but also, it’s very important for the patient’s family to understand as well. Does the family know that this AND order is in the patient’s best interest? Are they worried about such an order? Do they wish their daughter would not have this order? Personally, I think that this young girl is very brave for having this order into place. I completely respect this decision and support it because I believe that the patient’s interest is priority, especially in this case. How unfortunate would it be if this patient’s family thought that it was in their right to influence or make this patient feel guilty for her wishes. That is something that is also important for the patient’s family to understand because by understanding the motives and reasons for the patient’s decision, they can become active caregivers and participate in the comfort measures that the patient wants and needs at this time in their