A question that occurred to me reading this thread.
Suppose first responders arrived at the scene of a(n attempted) suicide. The person has gone through with it, but is still alive, but would require medical intervention to live. On this person is a note, saying something along the lines of “I hereby officially reject any and all medical intervention with the intent of saving my life. I do not want any doctor, nurse, paramedic, or any other professional to treat me in any way, shape, or form, on pain of legal recourse.”
Are they under any obligation to accept this? I mean, if they have to go along with patents’ requests for medical care in general, and living wills in particular, do they have to obey this too?
To expand on Cartooniverse’s response, when you are trying to kill yourself the law presumes you to be incompetent and assumes that you wish to have life-saving medical treatment the same as people injured in accidents.
From Rosen’s Emergency Medicine, 6th edition:
“The corollary to a patient’s right to give informed consent is the patient’s right to refuse medical care, even if such refusal results in death. In Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that a competent adult has a constitutionally protected right to refuse medical care.[82] However, that right is not absolute. Under particular circumstances, courts will consider countervailing compelling state interests, such as preventing suicide, preserving life, and protecting innocent third parties.”
You’re allowed to refuse any medical procedures and die as long as you’re making the decision of sound mind. But having an intent to die is considered to be proof of an unsound mind.
To add to what others have said, generally people who attempt suicide cannot refuse life-saving treatments or transport.
If you make suicidal statements to medical or mental health professionals or police officers, we’re obligated to place you on a mental health hold. We’re also obligated to ensure the patient is transported and evaluated by a mental health professional. This may include restraining the patient for transport, if necessary. In Colorado, this hold is valid for up to 72 hours but can be discharged earlier by a physician.
In Colorado, evidence of a suicide attempt invalidates a “Do Not Resuscitate” order. This doesn’t mean that we attempt resuscitation on everyone who commits suicide. If there are signs of irreversible death, the patient still won’t be resuscitated.
Patients on mental health holds do have the right to refuse certain treatments. I’m not familiar with all of them, as this is something that happens in the hospital. However, it does include the right to refuse psychoactive medications. I’ll try to get a copy when we make it to the hospital tonight.