CRMC-West 214 E. 23 St. Cheyenne, WY 82001
CRMC-East 2600 E. 18 St. Cheyenne, WY 82001
Health & Fitness 1620 E. Pershing, Cheyenne, WY 82001

(307) 634-CARE

Life Sustaining Treatments:

What you should know about life-sustaining treatments:This option may mean continuing treatment, even when there is little hope of improvement relying on artificial means to sustain life.

This information is not a substitute for an informed discussion with a healthcare provider. Healthcare facilities policies or state laws may differ.

What you should know about life-sustaining treatments.

This option may mean continuing treatment, even when there is little hope of improvement relying on artificial means to sustain life.

It may involve:

• artificial ventilation, to take over breathing tube feedings;
• hydration when nutrients and fluids can't be taken by mouth;
• chemotherapy, using chemicals to destroy cancer cells antibiotic therapy to help treat infections resulting from an underlying condition, such as an advanced cancer;
• renal dialysis - using a machine to do the work of the kidneys;
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), an emergency procedure that restores heartbeat and breathing.

Possible benefits of life-sustaining treatments may provide more time to allow for any chance of improvement have loves ones be with you come to terms with death spiritually and emotionally.

Continuing treatment when there's little or no chance of survival may also prolong the dying process, causing suffering for both the patient and loved ones.

It may cause pain and discomfort, for example, feeding tubes can become uncomfortable, some forms of chemotherapy may cause nausea, etc. making it hard to spend meaningful time with loved ones, especially if the patient is unconscious or uncomfortable, leading to dependence on tubes and machines to live.

Ask your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of each treatment.

Disclaimer - CRMC's core values are to provide quality patient care and outstanding patient satisfaction to all our patients. Part of providing quality patient care and outstanding patient satisfaction is respecting your privacy rights and maintaining the confidentiality of your medical records. For more information on patient privacy please read our patient privacy policy. CRMC will not use or disclose your health information for any purpose not described in this Notice without your written authorization.

Health information provided on Cheyenne Regional Medical Center's web page is intended as a guideline and not as a specific medical protocol. Every actual medical situation - emergency or non-emergency - is unique to each individual, and requires the clinical judgment of a qualified physician. For more information, or clarification, we recommend that individuals contact their personal physician.

Our Web site may include information and other material prepared by other sources. We also link to other Internet sites and resources. This information and links are provided as a courtesy. We are not responsible for the availability, updating, and accuracy of any information provided on these outside sites or for the privacy or security of these outside sites.

The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a doctor and a particular treatment plan. The material provided is not intended to create, and the receipt of it does not constitute, a doctor-patient relationship. Should you have any health-care-related question, you should contact a doctor and arrange a consultation. Any e-mail generated from this Web site may not be secure and is not intended to create, and the receipt of it does not constitute, a doctor-patient relationship. E-mail communication is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a doctor.