Comments on: RATIONING AND DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR http://www.healthcarebs.com/2009/09/27/rationing-and-delusions-of-grandeur/ Cleaning the Augean Stables of the Health Care Debate Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:54:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Fourier http://www.healthcarebs.com/2009/09/27/rationing-and-delusions-of-grandeur/#comment-448173 Fourier Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:36:08 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2009/09/27/rationing-and-delusions-of-grandeur/#comment-448173 Yes, and the NHS was so omnipotent that it could tell the exact date of conception. Yes, and the NHS was so omnipotent that it could tell the exact date of conception.

]]> By: James Lansberry http://www.healthcarebs.com/2009/09/27/rationing-and-delusions-of-grandeur/#comment-448146 James Lansberry Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:05:46 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2009/09/27/rationing-and-delusions-of-grandeur/#comment-448146 "If I seem a little agitated about this, it is because my eldest daughter was a preemie. She is now a beautiful and healthy 28-year-old woman living happily ever after because her doctors and nurses didn’t (thank God) suffer the delusions that afflict this nurse. They just did their jobs." You're more than within your rights to be agitated. I'm just as agitated and have never had my wife give birth to a preemie. Saving lives is what medical professionals are paid to do, not play God. Thanks for the post. “If I seem a little agitated about this, it is because my eldest daughter was a preemie. She is now a beautiful and healthy 28-year-old woman living happily ever after because her doctors and nurses didn’t (thank God) suffer the delusions that afflict this nurse. They just did their jobs.”

You’re more than within your rights to be agitated. I’m just as agitated and have never had my wife give birth to a preemie. Saving lives is what medical professionals are paid to do, not play God.

Thanks for the post.

]]> By: Catron http://www.healthcarebs.com/2009/09/27/rationing-and-delusions-of-grandeur/#comment-448142 Catron Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:30:00 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2009/09/27/rationing-and-delusions-of-grandeur/#comment-448142 Amen. Another point I neglected to make: At the 4 hospitals where I have worked (where I have known many nurses and nurse managers), I can tell you this person would get yanked off the floor in a NY minute if she espoused such views aloud. Amen.

Another point I neglected to make: At the 4 hospitals where I have worked (where I have known many nurses and nurse managers), I can tell you this person would get yanked off the floor in a NY minute if she espoused such views aloud.

]]> By: Sandy http://www.healthcarebs.com/2009/09/27/rationing-and-delusions-of-grandeur/#comment-448139 Sandy Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:12:52 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2009/09/27/rationing-and-delusions-of-grandeur/#comment-448139 As a NICU nurse with decades of experience, her stance is not compassionate or heroic. I've seen the same heartwrenching consequences of continued aggressive efforts to save nonviable babies well after there is no hope for them. But that is a strawman argument and not the issue. THIS baby was never even given a chance. This little baby was breathing on his own, kicking and had a good heart beat... and was left to die. Every case is individual and no outside entity, or government guideline, can make good treatment decisions. It should be the decision of the baby's parents and doctors. And not a nurse from halfway around the world with an agenda, either. Sadly, the reality is that NICUs and NICU nursing staff in UK are in short supply and underfunded by NHS, and costs were undeniably a factor in this case. The best answer to this story I've read came from a mother: <a href="http://newledger.com/2009/09/rationed-care-and-the-most-vulnerable-among-us/" rel="nofollow"> http://newledger.com/2009/09/rationed-care-and-the-most-vulnerable-among-us/ </a> As a NICU nurse with decades of experience, her stance is not compassionate or heroic. I’ve seen the same heartwrenching consequences of continued aggressive efforts to save nonviable babies well after there is no hope for them. But that is a strawman argument and not the issue. THIS baby was never even given a chance. This little baby was breathing on his own, kicking and had a good heart beat… and was left to die.

Every case is individual and no outside entity, or government guideline, can make good treatment decisions. It should be the decision of the baby’s parents and doctors. And not a nurse from halfway around the world with an agenda, either. Sadly, the reality is that NICUs and NICU nursing staff in UK are in short supply and underfunded by NHS, and costs were undeniably a factor in this case. The best answer to this story I’ve read came from a mother:

http://newledger.com/2009/09/rationed-care-and-the-most-vulnerable-among-us/

]]>