[wagglebee]

You have two patients, one of them is a 39 year old man with severe multiple sclerosis, contractures to all extremities, a stage 4 ulcer to the sacrum, diabetes, chronic renal failure with hemodialysis 3 times/week, and respiratory failure secondary to aspiration pneumonia which is a frequent occurrence for this individual due to his inability to safely swallow anything which has necessitated placing a tube in his stomach to deliver liquid nutrition. He needs a ventilator for his respiratory failure or he will die. This individual is, at most, capable of being dragged out of his bed by healthcare personnel and placed in a chair for a couple of hours at a time. Nature would have taken this poor soul years ago had nature been allowed to do so. his healthcare costs are covered by taxpayers.

in the bed next to him is a 39 year old woman who suffered a case of sepsis which ultimately resulted in acute renal failure such that she requires dialysis 3 times/ week. She has contracted pneumonia while in the hospital and is in acute respiratory failure. She too needs a ventilator machine or she will die. She works at a local drug store and her treatment is paid for by her private health insurance.

there's only one ventilator. Both patients need it immediately. which patient gets it?

Can you actually cite an instance in which a hospital has run out of ventilators or are you just agreeing with Zero's death panel agenda?

[gracie1]

While the hospital may not run out of ventilators, they may have run out of ICU beds. The nurses on the regular floor where they are at are not trained to care for a vented patient.

If they are in the ER, and they are both vieing for the same ICU bed, keep in mind the ER is not the optimal place for such a high acuity patient.

This happens more often than not, trust me I know. If people knew how our hospitals were daily walking a tightrope of keeping people alive they would be outraged.

[metmom]

Situational ethics scenarios.

Always a sure sign of a troll.

[trisham]

Can you actually cite an instance in which a hospital has run out of ventilators or are you just agreeing with Zero's death panel agenda?

*************************

I'm guessing option #2.

[gitmo]

Can you actually cite an instance in which a hospital has run out of ventilators or are you just agreeing with Zero's death panel agenda?

Wait a few years. Obama is going to guarantee we see these scenarios as a common experience.