Medical Interventions

Full Treatment: use intubation, advanced airway interventions, mechanical ventilation, and cardioversion as indicated. This is for individuals who want to preserver life at all costs, include pain and the risk of living with brain damage. 

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Selective Treatment: Comfort-Focused Treatment, use medical treatment, IV antibiotics, and IV fluids as indicated. Do not intubate. May use non-invasive positive airway pressure. Generally avoid intensive care. This is for people who do want to extend life, but would like to reduce the chance of living with brain damage or having to undergo painful procedures.  

 

Comfort Focused Treatment:  Relieve pain and suffering with medication by any route as needed; use oxygen, suctioning, and manual treatment of airway obstruction. Request transfer to hospital only if comfort needs cannot be met in current location.This is for individuals who want to pass in the most comfortable way, and are not trying to extend life if it will increase pain.   If pain can be treated at home, then stay home.