Description:

Jenna K. Nikolaides, MD, MA
Medical Toxicology Fellow and Emergency Physician, Toxikon Consortium and Cook County Hospital
Alum, MD/MA in Medical Humanities & Bioethics Dual-Degree Program, Northwestern University

Withdrawal of Care in the Acute Intentional Overdose Patient

This talk will first provide a brief introduction into the world of medical toxicology and the unique type of consulting role toxicologists play through the Illinois Poison Center. The rest of the talk will focus on describing the various ethical issues that come into play when a suicidal patient who attempts to end their life by acute overdose or their surrogate decision-maker wants to refuse or withdraw care. The aim of the talk will be to highlight the ways in which a "goals of care" discussion in an acute overdose patient presents different ethical issues than a "goals of care" discussion for a chronically ill patient.