1:17:25
Memorial Hospital
residents' exchange.
1:17:27
This is Dr. Wheeler.
Are there any messages for me?
1:17:30
Yes, doctor. Quite a few.
Just a minute, please.
1:17:37
I'm sorry.
I'll have to call you back.
1:17:39
What number can you be reached at?
1:17:44
Dr. Wheeler, are you there?
What number can we reach you at?
1:17:51
We are dealing in
an area of uncertainty.
1:17:54
An area where there are no rules,
contradictory laws...
1:17:57
...and no clear social consensus
as to what should be done.
1:18:01
And the cost of care for the chronic
patient has become prohibitive.
1:18:05
This is particularly the case
with the long-term comatose patient.
1:18:10
The Jefferson lnstitute is a government-
sponsored experimental facility...
1:18:14
...designed to provide quality
life support to the comatose patient.
1:18:19
l wish to emphasize...
1:18:20
...no moral or ethical position
is being taken here.
1:18:24
We do not participate in the debate
over whether these patients...
1:18:28
...are alive or dead...
1:18:30
...or whether their care should
be continued or terminated.
1:18:33
Society will decide if there will
be more of these facilities or not.
1:18:38
ln the meantime, we merely provide
care as inexpensively as possible.
1:18:43
Now, if you will
please come this way....
1:18:46
This is our visiting room...
1:18:48
...where relatives can see patients
who are stored here.
1:18:51
You see, it all looks quite normal.
1:18:53
We've found it is inadvisable...
1:18:55
...for relatives to know the actual
circumstances of patient care.