Are people in comas really brain dead? - Why you should talk with your healthcare agent
In a recent article Reuters' article, "Vegetative patient "talks" using brain waves" Kate Kelland writes,
British and Belgian researchers used a brain scanner called functional magnetic resonance imaging to show the man, who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in a road accident in 2003, was able to think "yes" or "no" answers to questions by wilfully changing his brain activity.
This story follows closely on the heels of another recent article by CNN's Mark Tutton, "Trapped 'coma' man: How was he misdiagnosed?" which reported how a Belgian car crash victim was misdiagnosed as being in a vegetative state for 23 years, when he was actually conscious the whole time.
These two articles highlight the need for those executing healthcare powers of attorney to have thorough conversations with their healthcare agents regarding the type of care and treatment decisions the healthcare agents should pursue if called upon to act.
Many state legislatures, including North Carolina's, have created statutory forms for healthcare powers of attorney and living wills. While these forms convey the necessary legal authority, most are silent when it comes to communicating the principal's (the person on whose behalf the agent acts), wishes and desires.
Every person executing a healthcare power of attorney or a living will should discuss the following scenarios with their agent:
- If you are in a coma or persistent vegetative state
- Near death and in a coma with a small, but uncertain, chance of regaining higher mental function
- Terminal illness with weeks to live, but sometimes seem awake and seem to have feelings
- Brain damage or brain disease that, while not life threatening, is irreversible, but makes you unable to think or have feelings
- Other situations that come to mind
In these situations, should your healthcare agent:
- Treat aggressively
- Attempt to cure but re-evaluate frequently
- Limit treatment to less invasive/less burdensome treatment
- Provide comfort care only
- Other
Only by making their wishes clearly known to their healthcare agent, can someone insure that their wishes are clearly understood and honored.
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