British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
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There has been considerable criticism recently over the use of end-of-life pathways and do-not-resuscitate orders with vulnerable, incapable patients, often without discussion. This criticism has led to press and judicial scrutiny of the lawfulness of decisions to withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatment. In this article, the author reviews the law and argues that flawed decision-making by doctors and nurses, rather than the actual end-of-life pathway or do-not-resuscitate order, is where the lawfulness of withdrawing and withholding treatment must be challenged.
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Parents play an important part in their child's anaesthesia. When a child has to receive anaesthesia, it is of great importance that parents are there by his/her side as children depend on them for support. Many parents worry and experience fear before their child's anaesthesia and studies show that there is a correlation between a worried parent and a worried child. ⋯ Specific individually-adapted information with a compulsory preoperative visit, presence and participation from, if possible, both parents at their child's anaesthesia but also designated staff from the anaesthetic team to focus solely on supporting the parents at their child's anaesthesia induction can improve the conditions for security.