Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift
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Wien Med Wochenschr · Jan 1996
Review[Legal limits of assisted death: exemplified by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis].
The article discusses the question to what extent the physician may offer aid in dying to the terminally ill patient. The author comes to the conclusion that the withdrawal of artificial ventilation (after application of anesthesia) is allowed and even a physician's duty if the patient refuses further ventilation. Because the competent patient may refuse treatment at any time, a doctor's willful disregard of his patient's right to self-determination could also be regarded as battery [section 110 Penal Code).
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Wien Med Wochenschr · Jan 1996
[Methodology and problems in home monitoring of children with sleep-related respiratory disorders--perspectives].
In a pilot study we interviewed parents of 100 formerly home monitored infants about problems during the monitoring period. The duration of home monitoring was between 1 and 48 months (median 15 months). 95% of the parents reported false alarms. 66% of the infants had real alarms, in 50% of the infants interventions were necessary. 3% of the infants had to be resuscitated. Only 47% of the parents felt safe in the practice of resuscitation even though all parents had been trained before. Perspectives of improvement of home monitoring are discussed.