About This Course
One of the most difficult decisions parents have to make has to be when to allow their terribly medically complex baby to die with dignity. This talk begins with examples of the ambiguity of the terms we use to describe babies with congenital anomalies or ventilator induced lung injury that may be incompatible with life. Next is an historical overview of how life and death decisions have been made in the NICU, including the inherent moral, ethical, political, and legal complexities. A description of the current treatment requirements for life and death decisions is presented, along with a practical approach hospitals may take for assigning clinical staff to families of these babies. Included is a discussion of Moral Distress that can be experienced by RTs, how to recognize it and what to do about it. The talk concludes with humane guidelines for how to talk to parents who have a baby that presents families with the most difficult decision they will ever have to make.
Successful completion of this course requires a score of 70% on the post-test.
**Please note that all programs require the participant to view the entire program prior to taking the final quiz and obtaining a course certificate.**
Describe major cases that have shaped requirements for withholding or withdrawing medical support on medically complex babies.
List a reasonable approach for assigning staff to disabled, injured, or sub-24 week gestation babies and their families.
Identify and define Moral Distress and how RTs can address it.
Chapters
The Ethics of Ambiguity: Life and Death in the NICU
Speaker Information
- Evan Richards, BSc
Approved CRCE Hours
1.00
Category
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