New Test Predicts Chances of Death Within 30 Days
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People don’t really know when they’re going to die, but for those with a terminal illness, or having experienced a catastrophic health event, perhaps knowing when the reaper is going to stop by might not be the worse thing.
Some US hospitals are now administering something known as the “death test,” which estimates a person’s chance of dying over the next 30 days. Invented in Australia, the test weighs 29 different criteria—including blood pressure, respiratory rate, and medical history—to determine whether hospitalization is worthwhile or the patient should return home or go to a hospice, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
The idea is to prevent needless and expensive procedures while allowing patients to spend their last days with loved ones. “Most terminally ill people want to die at home, but in fact three quarters end up dying in acute hospitals, often after intrusive, expensive and ultimately pointless medical procedures,” says study author Magnolia Cardona-Morrell, the Independent reports.
The test also aims to take pressure off doctors and nurses to prolong patients’ lives “at all costs,” the Telegraph reports. “I had lots of nurses and doctors standing there saying, ‘We have been waiting for a tool like this for years, when can we start using it?'” says Cardona-Morrell, whose work was presented recently at a US medical conference. “To me that is an indication there is a need out there.” She says the test takes just five or ten minutes, and helps doctors have a more “transparent” conversation with patients.
Called CriSTAL, it’s now being tested to see if it would have predicted the future of patients who have since died. Then it may be used in more hospitals. (In related news, here are 7 simple things you can do to stay healthy.)
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I’ve mixed feelings about this. I do think that people should be allowed to die at home if they so wish, and if this test shows there is no real hope why continue torturing them with procedures that won’t work.
Not a bad idea except when some hospitals get the charts of people mixed up.
“Mr. Formby, you only have 30 days to live so I guess you can do anything you want.” “Great” says Formby. “There are a few assholes I think need to leave this world with me” 30 days and 5 assholes murdered later, “Ah, Mr. Formby, we , ah, oops, got your chart mixed up with Mr. Bigfellow’s”. “It seems that you are fine and will have a long healthy life, and by the way there are some police officers waiting to see you.”
Wow! Talk about good news, bad news.
LOL! Bill you are so right!!!! 🙂 🙂