A Halakhic Framework for Decision-Making in Acute Critical Illness

Regarding what constitutes the "endof-life," there is no clear medical definition.1 In halakhic literature, expected survival of less than six months is often used as a rough benchmark, though some authorities prefer other definitions.2 2. [...]terminal and critical illness can also coexis...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tradition (New York) 2021-01, Vol.53 (1), p.78-93
Main Author: Goldberg, Judah
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cancer
Chronic illnesses
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Critical care
Decision making
Dementia
Intensive care
Literature
Lungs
Medical prognosis
Palliative care
Patients
Terminal illnesses
Trauma
Ventilators
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Summary:Regarding what constitutes the "endof-life," there is no clear medical definition.1 In halakhic literature, expected survival of less than six months is often used as a rough benchmark, though some authorities prefer other definitions.2 2. [...]terminal and critical illness can also coexist, as in the following two scenarios: d. A patient with a terminal illness who is now suffering from a new process, such as a patient with late-stage pancreatic cancer (a terminal illness) in whom severe pneumonia (a critical illness) has developed; or e. A terminally ill patient who has entered the final phase of his or her disease, such as a patient with lung cancer who is now struggling to breathe. Clear principles were established by rabbinic authorities at the end of the twentieth century regarding medical decision-making tor patients at the ends of their lives (typically those with a life expectancy of less than six months). The medical team informs Beth's family that she is at risk of death if they do not intubate her-that is, sedate her, insert a breathing tube into her windpipe, and connect her to a ventilator (sometimes colloquially called "life support").
ISSN:0041-0608