Question

6. Brother F, age 93, a member of the Society of Mary, suffers a heart attack while undergoing corrective surgery for an inguinal hernia. He sustains sub- stantial brain damage, slips into a coma, and is placed on a respirator in an intensive care unit. Two neurosurgeons state that there is no reasonable pos- sibility that he will regain consciousness. Father E., who has been Brother E's close friend for nearly 26 years, knows that Brother E would want the respirator removed. In the past, the two men had discussed the Quinlan case, and F. had stated that he wanted no extraor- dinary means used if he were ever to be in this situation. Father E. would not ordinarily be considered a lawful surrogate. Is his testimony such that we could still consider there to be a sort of substituted judgment? Would this situation have been helped by a proxy statement or a court-appointed guardian ad litem? Some states have allowed close friends to act as surrogates. (See also chapter 7.)

Answer 1

There are some criteria for being a patient surrogate.One of it is the person should be in close contact or as a close friend for years who knows about the patient completely. Here Father E can be appointed as a proxy or as a surrogate for the patient and take decisions. .Court appointed guardian ad litem is usually made in case of children who cannot make decision by self which can be applied in this case. Here the provider can suggest or recommend the court for appointing the friend as an surrogate