Cease and Desist Order in Andrea Clark Case

Hyscience ^ | April 30, 2006 | Hyscience

[FR_addict]

As a patient of St. Luke's Hospital in Houston, TX, Andrea Clark is in an extremely precarious position.

Andrea, 54, suffered complications following open heart surgery that left her dependent upon a ventilator and dialysis for survival. Although her motor control faculties were damaged, according to her family, her cognitive abilities were unaffected.

On April 19, St. Luke's informed Andrea's closest kin that her medical care would be discontinued in 10 days; an ethics committee decided to "pull the plug" in a flagrant act of (passive) euthanasia. Andrea has insurance and wants treatment. Her current doctor says "no".

Through the efforts of many, the hospital and family developed a plan to transfer Andrea to a medical facility in Chicago, one suggested by St. Luke's. However, shortly before Andrea's transfer was scheduled to take place it fell through; the second treatment center did not have the necessary means to care for her.

Now Andrea's life hangs in the balance and at any time St. Luke's could end her life by withholding treatment. A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday to discuss her fate and the possibility of another physician or facility, but there is nothing in writing.

Consequently, Andrea's attorney, Jerri Lynn Ward, is serving St. Luke's with a cease and desist order on Monday. Here is an electronic copy that we obtained:

Continue reading "Cease and Desist Order in Andrea Clark Case" The cease and desist order is scheduled for Monday.

[FR_addict]

I'm so glad your son is doing so much better. It wasn't that long ago when the doctors told you he would not live.

He's made remarkable progress in less than a year.

[Old Professer]

One is enough.

[lakey]

A for-profit managed care center took our son after we mentioned it to our family doctor as an alternative. Hospice workers came in when he was diagnosed as terminal, exercised him and even managed to get this 6 ft. 5 in. hulk into the whirlpool bath.

Granted, getting the financial matters straightened out has been frustrating, because nobody really wanted to help us get the aid he needed. We had to make him a pauper.

[FR_addict]

Ping

[Zeroisanumber]

The hospital has no right to make a life or death decision like this.

From what I understand, Texas law (signed by then-governor GWB) allows hospitals to discontinue futile care. I was just wondering what about this case made further care futile.

[FR_addict]

"Screw the committee of doctors!"

Well said!

[lakey]

He's made remarkable progress in less than a year.

Hasn't he though...over and over.

Along with our merciful Lord, you have been a special rock for me.

[lakey]

I was just wondering what about this case made further care futile.

Me, too. Ventilation tube, I guess. Egad! I see people carrying oxygen tanks all the time.

[Zeroisanumber]

Me, too. Ventilation tube, I guess. Egad! I see people carrying oxygen tanks all the time.

I think it's that she needs constant dialysis, but I'm not certain. I wish that this article had more information.

[Rte66]

The first 10-day "warning" period ended yesterday and she is still at St. Luke's, alive, according to our TV news just now. I guess the Tuesday meeting indicated in this article is still "on" - the news program didn't say anything about that.

[lakey]

There are home units for dialysis but someone needs training to operate the thing.

I'm looking up care centers in Texas but don't know what kind of insurance she has. (Allan Baumgarten) Some policies have a cutoff date and to have long-term care in Arizona one needs to be bankrupt. The state made us sell his stocks.

[welfareisslavery]

I am glad your son has done so well. That said, carrying an oxygen bottle around is not the same as carrying a ventilator around.

[lakey]

Thank you.

I never thought about that but you're right. A ventilator forces oxygen into her lungs.

Am going to search some more. 'nite

[lakey]

This is Triumph Health Care - various locations in Texas.

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Inpatient Programs
Our hospitals offer highly specialized staff and full service support teams to provide interdisciplinary services for individuals with the following needs or conditions:

Medically Complex

Licensed ICU
Dialysis/Renal failure
Infectious diseases
Multiple system failure
Oncology
IV therapy
Nutritional therapy
Cardiac monitoring
Pulmonary Management

Ventilator dependence/management
Ventilator weaning
Intubated Orally
Tracheostomy
COPD
Respiratory failure
24-hour respiratory management

Wound Management

Amputations
Serious wound complications
Post-surgical or Post-trauma
Pressure ulcers
Enterostomal therapy nurse
IV therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO)
Rehabilitation

As tolerated, no hourly requirements
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Speech pathology

In addition to the above services, Triumph HealthCare provides 24-hour security, free parking, and open visiting hours, even in the ICU, for our families.

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Outpatient Programs
Triumph Hospitals offer a variety of outpatient services to complement our inpatient programs. Services offered include:

Wound Management
Hyperbaric Medicine(HBO Therapy)
Pain Management
Rehab Services
Triumph Hospital North Houston Outpatient Services -(832) 200-5775

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Wound Care Management
The Wound Management Program at Triumph HealthCare is grounded in scientific and theoretic domains. Treatments and interventions implemented are consistent with national guidelines, and scientific and expert clinical opinion.

We provide care to patients who require high acuity wound management for draining wounds and fistulae, and complex management of these acute or unstable chronic wounds. Great emphasis is on the education of patients and/or caregivers in areas related to wound management. Our wound care team works with home health agencies and long-term care providers to ensure continuity of treatment protocols.

Modalities Available
Our comprehensive wound management team is multidisciplinary and includes consulting physicians, enterostomal therapy (ET) nurses, physical therapists, dietitians, pharmacists, and case managers.


1. Electrical stimulation
2. Ultrasound
3. Wound V.A.C.
4. Sharp debridement
5. Whirlpool
6. OASIS and APLIGRAF application
7. Hyperbaric medicine

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Hyperbaric Medicine (HBO Therapy)

HBO therapy is the administration of oxygen at pressure 2-3 times that of normal atmospheric pressure. HBO therapy will increase oxygen in plasma and blood. This results in increased perfusion and neovascularization. As a result of vasoconstriction, edema is decreased especially in crush injuries, burns and flaps. It increases fibroblastic activity, promoting collagen synthesis. It enhances antimicrobial activity by stimulating phagocytosis and preventing certain bacteria from producing toxins. It also enhances osteoclastic activity, an important component of the wound healing process.

Specially trained HBO physicians and staff monitor and supervise all treatments. Each two monoplace hyperbaric chambers utilize the latest technology available. At Triumph HealthCare, HBO therapy is an adjunctive modality utilized in the management of certain types of wounds. Treatments are Medicare-approved for specific types of wounds. HBO is available for our inpatient and outpatient wound care patients.

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Pain Management

The Pain Management Program of Triumph HealthCare provides a comprehensive team approach to the evaluation and treatment of pain. The program is designed to offer effective treatment modalities that are specific to each individual patient's needs.

Epidural steroid injections under fluoroscopy w/ C-arm conservation Techniques for strength and energy
Lumbar sympathetic blocks
Intrathecal morphine implants
Dorsal column stimulation

What is Pain Management?
The specialty of pain management is concerned with the prevention, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of painful disorders. It is an American Medical Association (AMA)-recognized specialty. The physician specializing in pain often serves as an educator and consultant to other physicians on the intricacies of helping patients in pain. Triumph’s pain program is under the direction of board-certified physicians. Treatment includes prescribing medication and rehabilitative services, performing pain-relieving procedures and counseling patients. The benefits of appropriate treatment include:

Shortened recovery time
Reduced suffering
Increased patient productivity
For more information about services available at a Triumph hospital or to make a referral please call 713-691-6556.

[lastchance]

Does anyone know if the Episcopal Bishop of Texas has commented on Andrea's case?

[lastchance]

The only reason that Andrea is currently not able to communicate is because of the heavy dosage of pain meds the Doctors put her on. She is not terminal, unless you consider anyone who is has to have dialysis terminal. She is on a respirator but she is not brain or heart dead.
The family is not in denial. They know this woman's wishes and are abiding by them. It is the hospital's ethics committee that is over reaching. For more info go to www.wesleyjsmith.com.

[baa39]

St. Luke's Hospital. It's Episcopal? Not Catholic, right?

[Iwo Jima]

St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital.

[8mmMauser]

Pinged from Terri APRIL Dailies
with links to Andrea's Fight.

8mm

[FR_addict]

You found a lot of possible places. Maybe we can find out why the family hasn't been able to place her in one of those places, this morning.