[Dr. H's Clipboard] Practical Considerations Raised After Watching Netflix’s "Extremis"

Published: Thu, 11/24/16



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Practical Considerations Raised
After Watching Netflix’s
“Extremis” – Part 3

Few patients anticipate the need for critical care. Some people call 911 too late. Such was the case for Selena in the Netflix documentary "Extremis." She was having chest pain and struggling to breathe, but she told her daughter not to call EMS.  Selena stopped breathing on the way to the hospital. EMS responded and began CPR. A breathing tube was inserted. Selena suffered brain damage and was admitted to the ICU at Highland Hospital in Oakland, California. 

Selena was in a vegetative state, lying in a bed and hooked up to machines. Her daughter and brothers were at her bedside - hoping and praying for her recovery. Dr. Zitter was the ICU physician in charge of her care. Selena did not have an advance directive. It was now up to the family members to decide Selena’s fate. An advance directive could have been Selena’s "get out of jail free" card.   
 
Tributes & Wishes
#TributeTuesday
Share a tribute to a loved one who has died, or to mark the anniversary of their death.


#WishfulWednesday
Have a wish for the weekend? Post your plan on Wednesday. Practice expressing end-of-life wishes during the prime of life
 
Resource Article

Kidney Failure Patients' Advance Directives
are Often Inadequate


The United States has the financial resources to be able to provide dialysis to virtually all citizens who need it.  But whether dialysis is likely to benefit them requires advance care planning.


Advance care planning usually involves open-ended conversations and documents. There is still a need to better prepare patients for those do-or-die decisions.

 
 
Kevin's World

Thanksgiving Memories

Nothing says Thanksgiving like the smell of pumpkin pie.  My mother used to make it from a can with "Libby’s" on the label.  Make sure your advance care plan includes getting a piece of pumpkin pie with whip cream on it.  



 
Hear Dr. H

The Aware Show - Afterlife Summit

Watch Dr. Haselhorst's interview with Lisa Garr
on The Aware Show's Afterlife Summit.