CLARIFICATION on the "Slow Code". Doctors, Consultants know exactly what this code means. "Slow Code" has never meant "it's too much work, the patient will die anyway, or the person just isn't worth preserving." This code has been referred to in cases like this: the patient is dying and there is nothing that can be done to save them, they are generally very old, and are suffering immensely. These patients have lost most of their functioning; they are past the point of communication, are on feeding tubes and IVs for fluids, are no longer able to move, they can't and are unaware of how to control bodily functions. And although generally unable to let doctors know, they are in extreme pain. It is not the patients that are choosing to have everything done to prolong their suffering even one more day, it is their families. When a person cannot communicate, their Power of Attorney or next of kin is able to make their medical decisions. Sometimes these family members cannot let go of their loved one. They fight and fight not to lose the patient for selfish (although understandable) reasons. This is where the term "Slow Code" comes in. It is not because health care professionals are uncaring, or have deemed that the person isn't worth saving. It's because the health care professional knows the patient is dying regardless and wishes the patient would not suffer any more than they have to. This also has other consequences:
Imagine having to rush to save the life of a patient you know is a convicted serial child molester (your thoughts now are the same as the doctors and nurses I can almost guarantee), even though this is a patient you might want the "slow code" for, but that makes no difference. A patient is a patient, a code is a code, you go and do everything you can. "
At what point do we begin to play God and where does it stop?
Source's Cracked.com, What medical terms mean.
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