triage
US ruling: Doctors are not allowed to take Covid patients off the ventilator
Covid-19 patient on ventilator
© Jon Cherry/Getty Images / AFP
Doctors in the US state of Minnesota wanted to stop life support for a Covid 19 patient because his condition did not improve. However, a judge prevented this at the request of the wife.
In early November, Scott Quiner was admitted to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, with COVID-19. The 55-year-old American was not vaccinated, developed a severe course after his corona infection, came to the intensive care unit and had to be connected to a ventilator. However, his health did not improve – on the contrary: the doctors no longer saw any chances of recovery and wanted to end the treatment.
But a judge in Minnesota prevented that. He granted a request from the patient’s wife and prohibited the medics from disconnecting Quiner from the ventilator, reports the Star Tribune. Quiner had given his wife a power of attorney. The woman stated in court that she had “vehemently opposed” the doctors’ plans and wanted to continue the life-sustaining measures for her husband.
Covid-19 patient is being treated in Texas
Scott Quiner has now been flown to a hospital in the US state of Texas. He continues to receive intensive medical care there. “The doctor said Scott was the most malnourished patient he had ever seen,” the family attorney said. In the Minnesota hospital, Quiner was not treated optimally. Tests have shown that all organs are functional except for the lungs. According to the lawyer, he is taking “small steps in the right direction”. Another hearing is scheduled for February 11 to decide the fate of the Buffalo man. Quiner’s family has raised tens of thousands of euros in donations for medical care on internet crowdfunding platforms.
The health organization Allina Health, which operates the hospital in Coon Rapids, rejected criticism of the patient’s treatment at Mercy Hospital. One is pleased that the family has found a facility that meets the needs of the man, it said in a statement: “We wish you all the best.”
Sources: “StarTribune” / fox 9