Schiavo memo Essays

Theresa Schiavo was born and raised in Pensylvania with her family until she later moved to Florida with her husband Michael Schiavo. When Theresa Schiavo was 27 years old she suffered cardiac arrest due to a potassium imbalance. For ten years Theresa remained in a vegetative state where she was kept alive by nutrition and hydration tubes. Michael Schiavo petitioned the Florida guardianship court for authority to terminate Theresa’s life support but her parents opposed Michael’s petition. Six days

Case: Bush v. Schiavo. 885 So. 2d 321 (Fla. 2004) Facts: Theresa Schiavo suffered cardiac arrest on February 25, 1990 which caused her to be in persistent vegetative state for eight years. Her husband (plaintiff), Michael Schiavo, petitioned to terminate the prolonging life procedures, which meant going against Theresa's parents, Mary and Robert Schindler, by removing her nutrition and hydration tubes that will also discontinue Theresa's life. Theresa has lived in nursing homes with constant care

Futility is an ancient term that was used by Hippocrates stating that physicians should “refused treatment for those who are overcome by the disease.” (Kasman, 2004). Physicians are not obligated to continue medical treatment that they deem ineffective or harmful to their patients (Kasman, 2004). Physicians must use their clinical judgment when deciding if treatments are futile. They need to clarify to family and patients between treatments that are ineffective and still provide care that benefits