9.12.05 – Redland California Doctor Punished For End-Of-Life Care

Los Angeles, CA -- Dr. Harold Luke, of Redlands, CA endured investigation and disciplinary proceedings after a nurse reported her concern that a patient died shortly after Dr. Luke ordered increased morphine, which was easing the patient’s breathlessness. The medical Board of California investigated and decided to revoke Dr. Luke’s license. Facing mounting concern among the state’s palliative care providers, the board has stayed its action temporarily.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dr. Harold Luke, of Redlands, CA endured investigation and disciplinary proceedings after a nurse reported her concern that a patient died shortly after Dr. Luke ordered increased morphine, which was easing the patient’s breathlessness. The medical Board of California investigated and decided to revoke Dr. Luke’s license. Facing mounting concern among the state’s palliative care providers, the board has stayed its action temporarily.

Experts in this case testified that Dr. Luke’s care met modern standards of treatment for distress in a dying patient.

Dr. Luke testified that he intended to relive the patient’s suffering.  To second- guess this physician’s intention and revoke his license would put a state-wide chill on pain care for dying patients and may have a chilling national chilling effect on optimal end –of -life care.

In extreme end-of-life situations, the amount of medication needed to ease suffering may have the unintended consequence of hastening the time of death.  The duty to relive suffering in this setting is well-established in medical literature and ethics.  Dr. Luke’s compassionate treatment should be applauded and not punished.

Compassion & Choices is a nonprofit organization working to improving care and expand choice at the end of life. As a national organization with over 60 chapters and 30,000 members, we help patients and their loved ones face the end of life with calm facts and choices of action during a difficult time. We also aggressively pursue legal reform to promote pain care, put teeth in advance directives and legalize physician aid in dying.