31-5-2006
Euthanasia in practice
Euthanasia is carried out by means of two injections. The doctor first injects a high dose of a narcotic into a vein. Once the patient is in coma he administers three times the normal dose of a muscle relaxant into a vein. Death occurs when respiration ceases and the heart stops.
In assisted suicide the doctor usually gives the patient a liquid consisting of a barbiturate overdose in combination with sugar and alcohol. After drinking the liquid patients fall asleep and die as a result of respiration ceasing and the heart stopping. It is important for the doctor to be present when the patient drinks the liquid and to stay with him/her until death ensues. There is always a risk that the drink will cause the patient to vomit. If that happens, the doctor can perform euthanasia. Leaving the drugs for self-administration without supervision is risky and medically irresponsible.
The criterion that due medical care and attention must be exercised has two components. First, the right drugs must be administered in the correct manner. Second, they must be administered by the attending physician himself and not left to nursing staff.
