Jinnvisible
02-06-2010, 05:32 AM
Supreme Court of Puerto Rico upholds patient’s medical rights
Puerto Rico—In a landmark decision reached on January 27, 2010, the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico upheld an adult patient’s right to refuse certain medical treatment. The Court also recognized a patient’s right to use advance directives and appoint a health-care agent to represent his interests when unconscious.
Victor Hernandez, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, executed an advance directive prior to his hospitalization. The Supreme Court overturned the trial court’s refusal to enforce Mr. Hernandez’s medical decision as expressed in his directive and by his health-care agent. In so doing, the Supreme Court recognized “the fundamental right that makes the inviolability of the human body an inalienable right of the people.”
http://www.jw-media.org/pri/20100129.htm
Puerto Rico—In a landmark decision reached on January 27, 2010, the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico upheld an adult patient’s right to refuse certain medical treatment. The Court also recognized a patient’s right to use advance directives and appoint a health-care agent to represent his interests when unconscious.
Victor Hernandez, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, executed an advance directive prior to his hospitalization. The Supreme Court overturned the trial court’s refusal to enforce Mr. Hernandez’s medical decision as expressed in his directive and by his health-care agent. In so doing, the Supreme Court recognized “the fundamental right that makes the inviolability of the human body an inalienable right of the people.”
http://www.jw-media.org/pri/20100129.htm