this is scary stuff.

[gategrrl]

Fascinating article about how the ICU treatments may actually be harming the patients they're supposed to helping by over medicating narcotics and sedatives and not allowing the patients contact with reality, for weeks at a time. Even a short stay of a few days can devastate a person years later.

Comments

[gategrrl.livejournal.com]

My grandmother died in a hospital in an ICU after refusing to eat. She was done, and wanted to go. So I know what you mean.

The elderly are the least likely to recover from the "help" the receive in hospitals, and should my mother ever have to spend time in one due to a stroke (she already has, but she's currently in her 60s) I would make absolutely sure she doesn't spend any unneeded time alone in one.

What exactly happened to your great uncle? Was he given some drugs or something while he was in there?

[whisper99.livejournal.com]

Near as we can tell, they gave him some drugs to keep him quiet and pliable. He apparently wanted to go home and not spend the night.