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Previous Volume 336:1908-1910 June 26, 1997 Number 26 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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An iatrogenic complication is an unfavorable response to medical treatment that is induced by the therapeutic effort itself.¹ Although some are minor, others are life-threatening. Serious or fatal iatrogenic complications occur in 4 to 9 percent of hospitalized patients.^2,3,4 One retrospective series found that 14 percent of cardiac arrests could be traced to an iatrogenic event.⁵

Physicians often treat conditions caused by iatrogenic complications differently from other medical conditions.⁶ In this article we shall consider various reasons that might be used to justify making a distinction, in particular the arguments used to justify overriding a do-not-resuscitate (DNR)⁷ order after an . . . [Full Text of this Article]

The Principle of Nonmaleficence

Efficacy of Resuscitation

Proximate Cause

Physician Error

Exceptions to the Rule

Conclusions

Address reprint requests to Dr. Ross at the University of Chicago, MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 6098, Chicago, IL 60637.

References

Related Letters:

Overriding a Patient's Refusal of Treatment after an Iatrogenic Complication
Hall S. A., Casarett D., Ross L. F.
Extract | Full Text  
N Engl J Med 1997; 337:1477, Nov 13, 1997. Correspondence

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