Citation

Boyer A, Eon B, Quentin B, Blondiaux I, Bordet F, Dray S, Jars-Guincestre MC, Noizet O, Gonzalez F, Pillot J, Rigaud JP, Rolando S, Vanderlinden T, Reignier J. Reanimation 2016; 25(4): 419-425.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016)

DOI

10.1007/s13546-016-1202-7

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A new law developed by two members of the French parliament, A Claeys and J Leonetti, and passed on February 2, 2016, extends patients' rights at the end of life. Although both euthanasia and assisted suicide remain illegal, "deep and continuous sedation until death" is allowed under certain circumstances. Furthermore, the new law encourages all individuals to make advance directives, which healthcare providers are now required to follow. Palliative care is given a greater role, as the law mandates an integrated approach that dovetails palliative care to curative care. Hydration and artificial nutrition are now classified as treatments, instead of supportive care, and can therefore be withdrawn from patients with treatment-limitation decisions. Thus, compared to the 2005 Leonetti law, this new piece of legislation has practical implications for patients and intensivists. © 2016, Société de réanimation de langue française (SRLF) and Springer-Verlag France.

Language: fr

Keywords

human; law; Ethics; assisted suicide; Critical care; controlled study; euthanasia; sedation; human experiment; palliative therapy; living will; Sedation; End of life; Withdrawal; hydration; life sustaining treatment; artificial feeding; Advance directives; intensivist; Life-sustaining therapies