[mfoy_]

Reading this, and other comments, makes me realize there is a secret assisted-dying dance in play in the medical system. If you say the magic words "I think he is in pain" repeatedly, then the medical staff can legally administer a coincidentally lethal amount of morphine.

If assisted-dying was legal, regulated, and a well accepted practice there would be none of this "Do you think he is in pain? wink" nonsense and they could directly ask whether or not you would like to have him humanely euthanized.

Then no one else would ever have to begin a comment with "I accidentally euthanized my father" ever again. That is just too tragic. Even if it was honestly the best course of action, I'd want to at least be cognizant of my decision, not to just piece it together years later. :(

[betlinebutter]

I was worried I see a lot of comments like this. Your concerns are legit, but it's far worse for people to watch their loved ones suffer.

The discussion I have with families is usually very up-front about the fact that our comfort-care medications can hasten death. But in the ICU that I practice in, that's almost always a good thing. Sometimes use continues infusions to avoid the correlation between a dose given and subsequent respiratory arrest. But I have no doubts about the ethical nature of this. Just wish we could be more open about it, as the article suggests.

[mfoy_]

Perhaps you misunderstand me; it sounds like you think I'm against assisted-dying.

I am, however, against ACCIDENTALLY euthanizing loved ones due to a miscommunication.

[boie0025]

I agree, I think the situation with possible miscommunication is now, to me, one of the better arguments for legalization of assisted-dying. What a tragic story; but I'm glad I read it, I will surely now be cognizant of it should I find myself in a similar situation.