[Allocation of medical resources to intensive care units]

Abstract

Allocation of scarce and vital medical resources in intensive care units (ICUs) is one of the most actual and controversial questions within the context of medical ethics. How shall doctors decide which patients shall benefit from scarce resources such as ICU beds, ventilators, incubators, etc.? Which criteria are more acceptable from the ethical viewpoint in these triage situations: The rights of the patients? The expected benefits? The will of the patients or of their relatives? And how can medical responsibility be envisaged within this context? These are some of the questions discussed in this article having in mind the present framework of ethical and legal obligations pending upon doctors practicing in Portugal.