Hemodialysis as a life-sustaining treatment at the end of life.
10.23876/j.krcp.2018.37.2.112
- Author:
Sung Joon SHIN
1
;
Jae Hang LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea. wizdocrc@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Hemodialysis;
Life-sustaining treatment;
Terminal care
- MeSH:
Advance Directives;
Hospices;
Humans;
Korea;
Medical Futility;
Palliative Care;
Renal Dialysis*;
Terminal Care
- From:Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
2018;37(2):112-118
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The Act on Decisions on Life-Sustaining Treatment for Patients in Hospice and Palliative Care or at the End of Life came into effect on February 4th, 2018, in South Korea. Based on the Act, all Koreans over the age of 19 years can decide whether to refuse life-sustaining treatments at the end of life via advance directive or physician orders. Hemodialysis is one of the options designated in the Act as a life-sustaining treatment that can be withheld or withdrawn near death. However, hemodialysis has unique features. So, it is not easy to determine the best candidates for withholding/withdrawing hemodialysis at the end of life. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the meaning and implications of hemodialysis at the end of life with ethical consideration of futility and withholding or withdrawal of intervention.
