New Case - Kesell Macias v. Scripps Mercy Chula Vista

On Wednesday, Scripps Mercy Chula Vista Hospital informed the
family of Kesell Macias that they will remove him from life support
against their wishes.  The hospital released this statement: 

When we have a critically ill patient, we provide all the care and
services that are appropriate as ordered by the patient’s physicians. The best
interests of the patient guide our physicians and caregivers in these
circumstances. We recognize that these situations are always extremely
difficult and sad for the families involved.

When the patient’s condition indicates that a course of treatment
is medically ineffective, then the physician may determine that this treatment
should not be provided or should be discontinued. Under such circumstances
other effective care is continued.  For example, when life-saving care is
discontinued, we still provide comfort care and pain management.

One of the avenues available to the physician in these difficult
situations is to seek the counsel of the medical staff’s bioethics committee,
to which the physician can present the case for review.  The committee
serves in an advisory capacity and may help the providers explore various
options available to the patient.  The decision on the patient’s care is
ultimately made by the attending physician.”