Futility Conflicts Turn Violent

Sometimes, ICU physicians worry about getting sued by a family member unhappy or dissatisfied with the dim prospects of the patient.  But they do certainly get death threats too.



One recent clinician-family interaction turned ugly this past weekend.  George Pickering, 59, has been charged with aggravated assault. According to court documents, he went to Houston's Tomball Regional Hospital Saturday night, where his son was in the intensive care unit.



When he was told his son had been placed on life support and would soon be taken off, investigators say that Pickering pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at a nurse who was in the room with other family members.  (Houston Chronicle)