User:Cheetahbonnet/Allow natural death

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Allow Natural Death (AND) is a medical term defining the use of life-extending measures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). These orders emphasize patient comfort and pain management instead of life extension. Currently, American medical communities utilize "do not resuscitate," (DNR) orders to define patients' medical wishes. Those who propose to replace DNR with AND posit that DNR orders are ambiguous and require complex understanding between several parties, while AND orders are clearer. Proponents of replacing DNR with AND believe that AND terminology is more ethically conscientious DNR terminology. Research has been conducted regarding participant preference for AND vs. DNR terminology. The ease with which the terminology change can be practically incorporated depends on many factors such as costs and staff reeducation.

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ETHICS section:

AND terminology represents an ideology of patient care that emphasizes bodily autonomy and respect of the individual. This is in contrast to the terminology associated with DNR, or "do not resuscitate," which has been criticized for placing emphasis on potential negative outcomes associated with hospitalization, i.e. the act of "not" resuscitating is a conscious decision to "not" engage in life-extending care. Proponents of AND argue that, by "allowing" natural death, the provider is, instead, consciously deciding to engage in care; although such care is not life-extending, this form of care respects the wishes of patients to die peacefully and without suffering.

AND and DNR share similar ethical considerations with regards to end-of-life care. These considerations can involve the four main ethical principles, including autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. Autonomy can be thought of as a patient's right to self-determination and the right to decide what kind of care they should receive, which can be achieved through ANDs or DNRs. The principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence require that the healthcare providers are aware of their patient's AND and DNR statuses, and of their roles in that patient's end-of-life care. Lastly, the principle of justice refers to the obligation for healthcare providers to advocate for fair and appropriate treatment of their patients at the end of their lives, which requires abiding by the conditions expressed through AND and DNR. (Akdeniz, et. al.)

In the cases of attempted suicide or medical mismanagement, there are questions around the meaning of what a "natural" death is. Some argue that, in these cases, physicians should have the capability to revoke a patient's DNR or AND, though a wide consensus has yet to be reached.