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Article: The tracheostomy tube. (right to refuse treatment)(includes commentaries)
- Article from:
- The Hastings Center Report
- Article date:
- March 1, 1994
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1994 Hastings Center. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Joe, eighteen years old and unmarried, sustained a severe spinal cord injury in a motor vehicle accident. His arms and legs were paralyzed. He initially required mechanical ventilation, and later a tracheostomy. Three months after his injury Joe was transferred to a spinal cord unit several states away for his rehabilitative care.
Joe was eventually able to be weaned from the ventilator, but his pulmonary status remained shaky. He had an ineffective cough and required frequent assistance and suctioning to manage his secretions. Goals for his rehabilitation included educating him about his body so he could direct his care (range of motion, bowel and bladder care, ...