Definitions:
"Artificial nutrition and hydration" means the provision of nutrients or fluids by a
tube inserted in a vein, under the skin in the subcutaneous tissues, or in the stomach
(gastrointestinal tract).
"Irreversible condition" means a condition, injury, or illness:
(1) that may be treated, but is never cured or eliminated;
(2) that leaves a person unable to care for or make decisions for the person's own
self; and
(3) that, without life-sustaining treatment provided in accordance with the prevailing
standard of medical care, is fatal.
Explanation: Many serious illnesses such as cancer, failure of major organs (kidney,
heart, liver, or lung), and serious brain disease such as Alzheimer's dementia may be
considered irreversible early on. There is no cure, but the patient may be kept alive
for prolonged periods of time if the patient receives life-sustaining treatments. Late in
the course of the same illness, the disease may be considered terminal when, even
with treatment, the patient is expected to die. You may wish to consider which
burdens of treatment you would be willing to accept in an effort to achieve a
particular outcome. This is a very personal decision that you may wish to discuss with
your physician, family, or other important persons in your life.
"Life-sustaining treatment" means treatment that, based on reasonable medical
judgment, sustains the life of a patient and without which the patient will die. The
term includes both life-sustaining medications and artificial life support such as
mechanical breathing machines, kidney dialysis treatment, and artificial hydration
and nutrition. The term does not include the administration of pain management
medication, the performance of a medical procedure necessary to provide comfort
care, or any other medical care provided to alleviate a patient's pain.
"Terminal condition" means an incurable condition caused by injury, disease, or
illness that according to reasonable medical judgment will produce death within six
months, even with available life-sustaining treatment provided in accordance with the
prevailing standard of medical care.
Explanation: Many serious illnesses may be considered irreversible early in the
course of the illness, but they may not be considered terminal until the disease is
fairly advanced. In thinking about terminal illness and its treatment, you again may
wish to consider the relative benefits and burdens of treatment and discuss your
wishes with your physician, family, or other important persons in your life.