Content
Media Release
Description: Post Coma Caring Date: 19 June 2008 |
Type: Media release Further information: |
POST COMA CARING
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) today launched two publications to guide the care of people in post-coma unresponsiveness (PCU) or a minimally responsive state (MRS).
Ethical Guidelines for the Care of People in Post-Coma Unresponsiveness (Vegetative State) or a Minimally Responsive State (Ethical Guidelines) and A Guide for Families and Carers of People with Profound Brain Damage (Guide for Families) have been developed by NHMRC to guide health care professionals, courts and tribunals, and families acting in the best interests of these vulnerable people.
Associate Professor Nicholas Tonti-Filippini, Chair of the NHMRC Working Committee, said the ethical and practical guidelines would be of value to all those involved in the care, treatment and decision-making for people in PCU or MRS, whether as a health professional or as a family member.
"The guidelines focus on the best interest of the patient at all times, including treatment and rehabilitation.
"They also address the issues of ongoing care, nutrition and hydration including the difficult issue of withholding or withdrawing treatment when this treatment becomes futile or overly burdensome to the patient.
"The guidelines were developed by experts in the areas of ethics, nursing, social work, rehabilitation, guardianship, intensive care, neurology, palliative care, law and religion, with input from families supporting family members post-coma."
The prevalence of PCU and MRS in Australia is not known, as no specific data on these conditions is collected, but it is estimated that there may be fewer than 100 people in PCU in Australia.
For further information: |
Carolyn Norrie |
0422 008 512 |
Nicholas Tonti-Filippini is available for comment at the launch |
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» Download: The Post Coma Caring media release (PDF - 27kb)
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