IHP 420 final project conclusion

behavior. Secondly, the end-stage condition is an irreversible condition caused by an injury or

illness that results in progressive and permanent deterioration. Finally, a terminal condition is

incurable and caused by a disease, injury, or illness, and the patient is expected cause is death

(The 2020 Florida Statute, 2020). Mrs. Schiavo meets all these definitions, but her parents

argued in her defense that she did not meet the previous definitions. They believed that she

would want to live regardless of her current state and could improve with rehab treatment. While

her parents fought for her right to live, her husband fought for her right to die. “While there may

be an emotional difference between not initiating an intervention at all and discontinuing…there

is no ethical difference between withholding and withdrawing treatment. When an intervention

no longer helps…it is ethically appropriate for physicians to withdraw it (AMA, n.d.).”

The patient’s autonomy is the most crucial aspect to consider in cases like this. If it

appeared that Mr. Schiavo was not making those decisions for the best interest of his wife, the

healthcare providers had an obligation to invoke statutes that protect Mrs. Schiavo and request

another healthcare surrogate. From the results of the autopsy, it showed that Mrs. Schiavo’s

chance of improving her capability and competence was impossible (Snow, 2005). In this case,

healthcare providers should be careful not to tie their hands or the hands of Mrs. Schiavo. For

example, if healthcare providers were to dictate unwanted treatment to their patients in an

incapacitated state, it would violate the ethical principle of non-maleficence.

Iturralde v. Hilo Medical Center USA was a legal battle that pitted the plaintiff-

Appellant, Rosalinda, representing Arturo’s estate, against defendant Appellants, Hilo medical

center USA and Dr. Ricketson. The key issues pertinent to the case was whether the defendants,

Dr. Ricketson and HMC were guilty of malpractice and negligence which caused suffering, and

the ultimate death of Arturo Iturralde. In January 2001, the plaintiff, Arturo Iturralde was

admitted at the HMC center citing some pain and weaknesses in his leg which impaired his

mobility. After cross-examining the patient, Dr. Ricketson recommended spinal fusion surgery,

and requested HMC to order M8 titanium CD horizontal kit from Medtronic. However, when the

kit arrived, Titanium rods were missing and Dr. Ricketson opted to use stainless screwdriver

without informing the patient, and despite increased concern from the nurses, such as Feldmeyer

(Iturralde v. Hilo Medical. Center, 2012). Dr. Ricketson’s actions to the supervisors and the

management, though her efforts proved futile and no actions were taken against Dr. Ricketson.

After the surgery, Arturo’s condition worsened, resulting in several hospitalization and ultimate