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Is it ethical to comply with the request of a 98 year old patient who does not want to have battery replaced in her pacemaker?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Since this procedure requires surgical intervention in order to accomplish - if the individual had a valid DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order on file - yes it would be medically ethical to allow them to expire . . just the same as if their heart had stopped beating naturally. If a valid/legal DNR order was in place, and the surgeon performed the procedure against the patients wishes anyway, they could be sued civilly, and perhaps even charged criminally, with Assault.
On the other hand: If no legally valid DNR order is in effect, the situation becomes more dicey. If the patient, with witnesses present and of sound mind, voiced the specific wish that they be allowed to expire, even though it might be medically possible to save them by replacing the battery, the doctor would have to perform surgery (commit Assault) in order to do so.
A conundrum!
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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What should a pacemaker implant patient learn about his new device?
hat will indicate that the pacemaker is failing and when should emergency care be sought?How long will the battery function and when should it be replaced?Will there be notification of manufacturer recalls?
How do pacemaker batteries recharge?
First of all a pacemaker is a combination of two parts: the generator which contains the battery and logic, as well as the leads which connect to the heart. The batteries are not 'recharged'. When a pacemaker's battery is nearing the end of it's life (roughly 5-8 years) the patient schedules surgery, where the generator but not the leads are completely replaced. This isn't as drastic as it sounds and not usually as complicated as the initial fitting of a pacemaker. This operation is sometimes colloquially called 'recharging' but in reality the entire generator (battery and all) is replaced with a new one while the old is discarded.
How is the pacemaker returned to your blood?
A pacemaker is implanted inside the skin of the side of a patient's chest, and has 'wires' running over to the heart. A pacemaker is not in your blood.
Can a pacemaker patient ride an electric ropeway?
Yes
Can you do CPR on a patient with a pacemaker with a built in defibrillator?
r u dumb?!
Where can one buy a pacemaker?
Pacemakers are bought from medical manufactures by the doctor or hospital where the implantation surgery will take place. A patient would not be able to purchase a pacemaker on his/her own.
What is the Role of artificial pacemaker in heart if patient has a heart disease?
Pacemaker help to normalize the electrical impulses conductance of the heart. usually people with pacemaker has an abnormal impulse originated from their SA node. so, the pacemaker is placed so that the heart can contract at a normal rate and thus prevent arrhythmia.
How long is the hospital stay for a pacemaker implant patient?
Patients undergoing surgical pacemaker implantation usually stay in the hospital overnight.
How many leads may be necessary in a pacemaker implant procedure?
Depending on the configuration of the pacemaker and the clinical needs of the patient, as many as three leads may be used in a pacing system.
When is the request for genetic information ethical?
when the patient gives consent
Where is a pacemaker implantation performed?
In a hospital where the patient can be correctly monitored.
What monitoring is done after a pacemaker has been implanted?
Once the procedure is complete, the patient's vital signs are monitored and a chest x ray is taken to ensure that the pacemaker and leads are properly positioned.
