On Clinic

What if a proponent of euthanasia for the aged is working in a hospital ?

Is there latitude in implementing the health care rules so that a patient may be at the mercy of a proponent of euthanasia of the aged who happens to be working in the hospital ? A patient may for example be moved to a ward where beds are desperately needed. It would not occur to a proponent of euthanasia of the aged that there were other alternatives. For example the patient might in some cases simply be discharged from hospital. Thanks for answers. I wasn't talking about case of person in pain. But where the patient is running up a steep bill. Let us take the example of a patient who lives on a luxury ocean liner. He comes ashore for some treatment recommended by the hospital. I feel all effort should be make to get the patient back onto the boat. If the exercise cost too many dollars, then the hospital can be more cost-conscious in future. Doesn't seem right to me to be deciding while the patient is recovering that it's starting to cost too much, given the age of the patient etc. (I heard two sailors talking once. One was saying that he'd never abandon a fellow sailor when they were ashore. That if he went ashore with someone he'd stay with them (if wanted) and make sure they got back on the boat.) I think a similar principle should apply here. Thanks to all for great answers

Public Comments

1. There is no latitude. It does happen and is called murder.
2. Euthenasia is assisted termination of life, under very specific circumstances, when the terminal patient themselves request it. You seem to be confusing it with serial killing! Frequently in hospitals terminally ill patients are allowed to 'slip away' without further medical treatment other than increased doses of morphine to help limit any pain. This has been true for decades, so why the sudden interest?
3. Health care workers are trained to follow the policies and procedures of the institution they work in, as well as their scope of practice, which is determined by law. It most certainly would "occur" to them that there are alternatives. This is how they are trained/educated.
4. There is a difference between euthanasia, and allowing nature to take its course. Quality of life, even the end of life, is important. Terminally ill patients ARE sometimes discharged from the hospital, to hospice or palliative care. Is it worthwhile to prolong a patient's life at great expense and discomfort to the patient, if there is no hope of improvement? That is a decision that is personal to each patient and family. Within hospitals, there are quality assurance programs and oversights that will pick up if there is a murderer. If a "proponent of euthanasia" is killing people, that isn't euthanasia. It is murder, It happens, and those people are jailed. If you actually worked in a hospital, you'd soon see that the opposite of your fears is true. People are subjected to tests and treatments long after they should be allowed to pass peacefully. Focus your paranoia on the insurance industry. They are a bunch of crooks and would gladly let you die if it meant making a bigger profit.