Pacemaker and defibrillator deactivation in competent hospice patients: an ethical consideration

Pacemaker and defibrillator deactivation in competent hospice patients: an ethical consideration
American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care; by Jennifer M Ballentine; 1/05
In 2003, a Colorado hospice provider asked the DCBC for assistance in developing a policy on deactivation of pacemakers and defibrillators in competent hospice patients. The hospice had encountered concerns from some physicians and cardiac care clinicians that deactivating such devices treads the fine line between legitimate withdrawal of burdensome treatment and assisted death... This article summarizes contributions from the committee's discussion, as well as independent research undertaken by the author.
Publisher's note: This older, yet still relevant and helpful, article recently came across my desk.