Life, death, and liability: duties of health care providers regarding withdrawal of treatment.

Many of the issues surrounding refusal and withdrawal of medical treatment are so new and complex that the U.S. society has not resolved the ethical or legal questions involved. Questions such as where life ends and death begins, how to determine the circumstances when withdrawal of treatment is appropriate, and who should make such decisions will have to be resolved before the law in this area can become settled. Naturally, society is a long way from resolving these issues, since they involve such fundamental social, moral, medical, and legal considerations. Nevertheless, a body of law has developed that increasingly recognizes the right of an individual to direct his or her own medical care. To that end, an individual's clearly expressed intention to discontinue medical treatment will generally be honored, even if death results from the withdrawal of that treatment. Legislatures and courts have also encouraged health care providers to abide by the wishes of their patients by giving immunity to health care providers who comply in good faith with the provisions of a living will. Courts have also been reluctant to impose liability on health care providers for withdrawal of treatment absent a living will if it were done in good faith (with the consent of family or guardian) and was in accordance with accepted medical practice. It would appear that as the law gives individuals increased control over the private matter of their own medical treatment, health care providers may face more civil suits for maintaining life support systems against the patient's (or family's) wishes. In any event, while society is in the process of catching up with medical technology, individuals can best protect their right to medical self-determination by expressing their wishes clearly in the form of a living will and durable power of attorney. Health care providers can best protect themselves by keeping abreast of medical and legal developments in connection with these issues and by communicating effectively with their patients as to their wishes regarding life-prolonging medical treatment.