CHA-USA: “Is It Ethical to Unilaterally Withdraw Life-Sustaining Treatment in Triage Circumstances?”

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The Catholic Health Association of the United States cited the NCBC and our ethicists—especially Father Tad Pacholczyk, John Di Camillo, and Marie T. Hilliard—in a new document examining the ethics of whether and when to withdraw life-sustaining treatment in triage circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

A recent set of guidelines published by The National Catholic Bioethics Center also affirms the permissibility of unilateral withdrawal if “extreme circumstances warrant,” but also stress that patient/surrogate consent should always be obtained when feasible.

Read the full statement here.JUNE 10, 2020