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Practical Problems in the Withdrawal of Nutrition and Hydration From Two Patients in a Persistent Vegetative State
James P. Richardson, MD;
Timothy J. Keay, MD, MA-Th
Arch Fam Med. 1993;2(9):981-986.
Abstract
It is ethically and legally permissible to withdraw and withhold lifesaving medical treatment from patients in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) under certain conditions, but implementing these decisions is still very difficult for physicians and family members.
Author Affiliations
From the Department of Family Medicine, Division of Geriatrics (Drs Richardson and Keay), and the Center for Biomedical Ethics (Dr Keay), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.
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