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Cruzan V. Director Case Study

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Running Head: CRUZAN V. DIRECTOR, MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

To Die or Not to Die: That is the Question – But Who Decides?
Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health
Paula Folder
St. Leo University

Abstract
On January 11, 1983, at approximately 12:50 a.m., Nancy Cruzan died. At approximately 1:10 a.m. paramedics started cardiopulmonary resuscitation and at 1:11 a.m. they commenced advanced life support procedures, including intubation and intravenous infusions. By 1:13 a.m. Nancy had essentially been brought back to life; she exhibited a faint heart beat and spontaneous breathing. Nancy was rendered incompetent as a result of severe injuries sustained during an automobile accident. Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Health Department became the first end-of-life case involving a vegetative patient; the Supreme Court recognized a common law right and a federal constitutional right to refuse life-sustaining medical treatment, including nutrient and hydration. The court based the Cruzan’s authority to act for Nancy on “her expressed thoughts at the age of twenty-five in a serious conversation with a housemate friend that if sick or injured she would not wish to continue her life unless halfway normally.” The Cruzan’s endured a great deal of psychological, financial and medical consequences for seven years in …show more content…
Director, Missouri Department of Health, if a proper will or living will was drawn alone with a health care directive designated; the outcome would not have been drawn out for the extended amount of time. The Health Care Directive Act allows an individual to express his/her desire about the amount and type of health care and treatment he/she wish to receive should he/she become unable to speak or otherwise verbally communicate. It is a written document that informs others of the patient desires concerning health care. The purpose of the health care directive is to allow that designated person to

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