Volume 17, issue 3
Case report
Legal doubts concerning compulsory admission of a patient on maintenance dialysis - case report
Beata Trędzbor1, Katarzyna Piekarska-Bugiel1, Krzysztof Kucia1, Grzegorz Giemza1, Radosław Stepańczak1
1. Katedra i Klinika Psychiatrii i Psychoterapii Śląskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Katowicach
Postępy Psychiatrii i Neurologii 2008; 17 (3): 251-253
Keywords: chronic renal failure, maintenance dialysis, delusional disorder
Abstract
Objective. In the paper legal doubts are discussed concerning compulsory admission to a mental hospital of a female patient receiving maintenance dialyses.
Case. The 43-year-old women on maintenance dialysis due to chronic renal insufficiency refused further dialyzing during her hospitalization at a Nephrology Department. Her denial posed a threat to life, and the consulting psychiatrist suspected a psychotic process.
Commentary. Even though the diagnosis of delusional disorder was confirmed, the patient was discharged with immediate effect on the grounds of a court decision. Ethical doubts remained with the authors.
Address for correspondence:
Dr Beata Trędzbor
Katedra i Klinika Psychiatrii i Psychoterapii Śląskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego
ul. Ziołowa 45/47, 40-635 Katowice
e-mail: beataziarko@poczta.onet.pl