Can a patient not tell his family that he is stopping dialysis?
A. Patients are legally allowed not to tell their family that they are stopping dialysis. However, not telling the family is usually a very, very, very bad idea. Families are unprepared for the patient’s decision, and the unpreparedness causes them severe emotional suffering. Major decisions such as stopping dialysis are best made with the patient’s family. Telling the family and discussing it with patient and family (even if it takes a little longer) is likely to facilitate reconciliation and peace with the decision and is usually well worth the time and effort.
