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Article Abstract:

Tecnological advances may be beneficial for patient care but may cause ethical problems in some circumstances. High technology treatment has enabled home rather than hospital care. Development of the PICC line and Homepump drug adminstration has enabled patients to carry out self-administered home treatment programmes. However, technology may also be used to extend life for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. Availability of home ventilators to prolong life may not always be in the patients best interests.

Innovations, Ethical aspects, Home care, Medical technology

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Day time well spent

Article Abstract:

UK nurse Barbara Bisseker is a trained endoscopist who works for the National Health Service. Making time for patients both before and after surgery is an important part of the job, according to Bisseker. Patients need to be made to feel totally at ease before an endoscope can be inserted. They can either be sedated or have local anaesthesia, which makes the process less painful. Video endoscopy enables training to take place while performing operations, which can be complex but not time consuming.

Interview, Endoscopy

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When views of care conflict

Article Abstract:

The case of an 84-year-old man, Bernard Johnson, who was kept alive after heart failure and died on a ventilator, is indicative of the dilemma of the medical profession in deciding whether to intervene to prolong life. Johnson has specifically requested that no strong action be taken to keep him alive and that he be allowed to die with dignity should he become very ill, but his wishes were not taken into consideration, and his wife was deprived of the opportunity to see him die in peace.

Care and treatment, Medicine, Patients, Patient care, Medical practice

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