Transfer Resolves Medical Futility Case for Kesell Macias

A few days ago, I blogged that Scripps Mercy planned to stop life-Kesell Macias' life-sustaining treatment over the objections of his family.  Apparently, the hospital changed course.  It agreed to provide the family with a second opinion.  Now, Macias has been transferred to UC Irvine Medical Center.  



The California Probate Code section that permits a health care provider to "decline to comply with an individual health care instruction or health care decision" also requires the provider to "make all reasonable efforts to assist in the transfer of the patient to



another health care provider or institution that is willing to comply

with the instruction or decision."  Normally, such transfers are not found.  But when they are, everyone gets what they want.  Except maybe the patient.