This is an official form from the Massachusetts Court System, which complies with all applicable laws and statutes. USLF amends and updates these forms as is required by Massachusetts statutes and law.
The Boston Massachusetts Hospital Ethics Committee Recommendation — Forgoing or Discontinuing Life Sustaining Medical Treatment is a set of guidelines and recommendations created by the hospital's ethics committee to assist healthcare professionals, patients, and families in making decisions regarding the continuation or cessation of life-sustaining medical treatments. The committee's recommendations are grounded in ethical principles such as respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. They aim to balance the patients' right to self-determination with the responsibility of healthcare providers to provide appropriate and compassionate care. The first type of recommendation involves forgoing life-sustaining medical treatment. This recommendation may be made when continuing the treatment would not be in the best interest of the patient, considering factors such as the patient's prognosis, their wishes as expressed in an advance directive or a durable power of attorney for healthcare, and the potential burdens and benefits of the treatment. The committee provides guidance on the process of decision-making, emphasizing the importance of informed consent and shared decision-making between the patient, their family or surrogate, and the healthcare team. The recommendations outline the necessary steps for ensuring that all relevant information is provided, discussing treatment options, exploring alternative courses of action, and documenting the decision-making process. The second type of recommendation involves discontinuing life-sustaining medical treatment. This recommendation may be made when the patient is already receiving life-sustaining treatment, but it is determined that the treatment is no longer medically effective or in line with the patient's wishes. The committee provides guidance on how to address the cessation of treatment, including the appropriate steps for withdrawal or withholding of specific interventions. The Boston Massachusetts Hospital Ethics Committee Recommendation — Forgoing or Discontinuing Life Sustaining Medical Treatment recognizes the complexity and sensitivity of end-of-life decisions. It emphasizes the importance of a patient-centered approach, involving open and honest communication, empathy, and support for the patient, their family, and the healthcare providers involved. By following these recommendations, the hospital aims to ensure that decisions regarding forgoing or discontinuing life-sustaining medical treatments are made ethically, in accordance with the law, and with the utmost respect for the patient's values, beliefs, and preferences.The Boston Massachusetts Hospital Ethics Committee Recommendation — Forgoing or Discontinuing Life Sustaining Medical Treatment is a set of guidelines and recommendations created by the hospital's ethics committee to assist healthcare professionals, patients, and families in making decisions regarding the continuation or cessation of life-sustaining medical treatments. The committee's recommendations are grounded in ethical principles such as respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. They aim to balance the patients' right to self-determination with the responsibility of healthcare providers to provide appropriate and compassionate care. The first type of recommendation involves forgoing life-sustaining medical treatment. This recommendation may be made when continuing the treatment would not be in the best interest of the patient, considering factors such as the patient's prognosis, their wishes as expressed in an advance directive or a durable power of attorney for healthcare, and the potential burdens and benefits of the treatment. The committee provides guidance on the process of decision-making, emphasizing the importance of informed consent and shared decision-making between the patient, their family or surrogate, and the healthcare team. The recommendations outline the necessary steps for ensuring that all relevant information is provided, discussing treatment options, exploring alternative courses of action, and documenting the decision-making process. The second type of recommendation involves discontinuing life-sustaining medical treatment. This recommendation may be made when the patient is already receiving life-sustaining treatment, but it is determined that the treatment is no longer medically effective or in line with the patient's wishes. The committee provides guidance on how to address the cessation of treatment, including the appropriate steps for withdrawal or withholding of specific interventions. The Boston Massachusetts Hospital Ethics Committee Recommendation — Forgoing or Discontinuing Life Sustaining Medical Treatment recognizes the complexity and sensitivity of end-of-life decisions. It emphasizes the importance of a patient-centered approach, involving open and honest communication, empathy, and support for the patient, their family, and the healthcare providers involved. By following these recommendations, the hospital aims to ensure that decisions regarding forgoing or discontinuing life-sustaining medical treatments are made ethically, in accordance with the law, and with the utmost respect for the patient's values, beliefs, and preferences.
