I'd agree with you, except that it was done by this little resident who looks like his testicles still haven't descended. All during that awful first day, this little dweeb HAUNTED me, and I mean HAUNTED me, to sign that DNR. And that was after I said NO. No. No.
Then when my husband's son from a previous marriage came, the dweeb started in on him to get me to change my mind!
I finally exploded and said I'd never heard of such incredible unethical and CRUEL behavior. He kept saying, "if it was my loved one..." and I said, yeah, if it was your loved one, they'd all be DEAD. So there IS a God...neither I nor my husband is related to YOU.
This little idiot just stood there with his jaw hanging open. I can't tell you how many drs. have done just that because I refuse their "kindnesses" to kill my husband. And they honestly don't get WHY I'm upset - that THEY gave my hospital this infection, that THEY ignored it until he almost died while he was in their hospital.
And that it's SOP to try to impose on the family to let the patient die when they're too stupid and incompetent to do anything BUT.
All I want is for him to be off the ventilator and stable, and I'll take him OUT of that hellhole.
And why is it that no dr. reads his chart? And why don't they ever talk to one another? And why is it that I have met maybe one dr. not connected to this hospital who has a centimeter of human compassion and doesn't keep harping on me about the WORST outcomes? I can't even get these imbeciles to NOT talk about death in front of him!
is this the future of healthcare? I hope to God I drop dead rather than endure this "humane" torture.
A DNR doesn't mean withhold antibiotics. It doesn't mean withhold IV medicine's, food, etc.......( Although I have seen some people think it does..)
A DNR "says" if my heart should stop, or I should stop breathing...do not resuscitate me. And I've had to remind people that "this" patient didn't want "this"..or that "this" patient wants everything done short of intubation. As there are "levels" of code status too.
A tracheotomy can help your husband be weaned off the vent. And it can help in his comfort level. He may be able to speak with it, in place also.
Granted I do not know all the facts here...and with the utmost respect..your husband was more than probably immuno-suppressed..and a "set-up" for an infection. Just because he became symptomatic in the hospital...doesn't mean they "gave" it to him.
I can certainly understand your frustration...fore I have witnessed this type of behavior from doctor's and staff before...you may want to speak with a sympathetic case manager..or a ombudsman type within the hospital.
If I can help you please ask.......
Sadly, I believe that it is. I saw this exact situation over ten years ago with my mother. It was almost as if the doctors and nurses were on some kind of death incentive. Aside from all the other good advice about finding a better hospital if possible and nasty attorney, you may also consider using your role as a news reporter now. I can imagine nothing better to win over public support and shame these charlatan doctors than a sincere and well written series of columns about your husband's and your experiences with this flawed medical system. Please keep up the good fight and you and your husband will be in my family's prayers.
All hospitals have an ethics department.
Make a formal complaint against the resident.
Make a formal complaint with his attending physician.