Critical Care

A medical power of attorney is a form of advance medical directive that allows a person to appoint someone else to make decisions about the person's medical treatment if he or she is unable to make and communicate medical treatment decisions, or... Full Answer

A health care agent, also known as a health care proxy or surrogate or attorney-in-fact, is a person chosen to make medical decisions for another, should a severe illness or injury occur that makes communication impossible. The document that... Full Answer

Experts on advance directives have stressed the importance of discussing end-of-life options before patients and families become vulnerable in a crisis. With a chance to plan with their personal physician, some patients might decide, if they... Full Answer

If you've chosen a healthcare agent who knows you very well, it's possible you've already talked about what kinds of medical treatments you would choose to have or not have. But chances are, you haven't really covered your wishes in enough detail... Full Answer

If you are living with serious illness or are simply planning ahead for your own or a loved one's future, having a frank discussion with your doctor is a good idea. Putting things into words, getting more information, and asking questions can... Full Answer

If you are living with serious illness or are simply planning ahead for your own or a loved one's future, having a frank discussion with your doctor is a good idea. Putting things into words, getting more information, and asking questions can... Full Answer

America's reluctance to accept death means we usually respond to dying with overwhelming fear. In compassion, we must honestly listen to what our dying loved one actually wants. Most of us do not want to spend our last days in an intensive care... Full Answer

All of us would like to die peacefully and with dignity, but we can't achieve that alone. However, talking about death tends to be a taboo subject, and this translates into only 20% to 30% of Americans completing an advance care directive (ACD)... Full Answer

Exertional dyspnea (shortness of breath) may be a symptom of heart disease. Valvular heart disease or left ventricular dysfunction classically causes dyspnea as the first or primary symptom. Dyspnea can also occur in coronary artery disease, even without... Full Answer

In most hospitals, critical care nurses will stay in the critical care areas to take care of new patients requiring these services. These nurses have very special training, and it is important that they be available to critical patients. However, there... Full Answer