Decision-Making Capacity

This chapter considers the legal case of Stamford Hospital vs. Nelly E. Vega, 674 A. 2d 821 (Conn., 1996). In this matter, an obstetrical patient was given blood transfusions against her will despite having articulated a clear preference for not receiving blood products. Clinical issues discussed include the distinction between civil competency and civil capacity, approaches to assessments of decision-making capacity, selection of a proxy decision-maker, and special considerations in the care of the Jehovah’s Witness patient.