LOS ANGELES (CNS) — A Chatsworth man is asking a judge to issue a temporary restraining order on behalf of his mother, directing UCLA doctors to continue giving the ill woman life-sustaining measures rather that "comfort" steps that he says could be implemented by her physicians as soon as Friday, possibly leading to her death.
David Carey, the son of Jeanne M. Carey, brought the lawsuit Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court against the UC Regents and several UCLA doctors.
"Plaintiff Jeanne Carey seeks immediate issuance of a temporary restraining order to enjoin and restrain defendants from removing or restricting care to Ms. Carey, which is necessary for her survival," the suit states. "Should UCLA be allowed to withhold such medical treatment, Ms. Carey will almost certainly die."
David Carey wants time to find another medical facility, such as Barlow Respiratory Hospital, to provide for his mother with life-sustaining medical needs and for a trial extubation and/or tracheostomy placement if unsuccessful, the suit states.
A UCLA representative did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
David Carey brought his mother to UCLA Medical Center on Oct. 13 from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and she has been intubated since that time, according to the suit, which does not describe her illness.
Using his power of attorney, David Carey signed a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment document directing that his mother was to be provided with full treatment "by all medically effective means under any situation, including CPR and full respiratory support, including intubation," the suit states.
However, on Nov. 15 UCLA physicians decided that "comfort" measures would be implemented as soon as Friday, according to the suit.
"By doing so, UCLA would not attempt to resuscitate Ms. Carey if the need were to arise, would not re-intubate her if the need were to arise, and would stop all supportive measures such as suctioning, giving feeds, medications and water, all of which is in contravention of the ... POLST," the suit states.
An MRI of Jeanne Carey's brain shows she is not "brain dead," according to the suit, which further states that she breathes with the assistance of a ventilator, is able to follow commands and is responsive to her son.
Within the past week, UCLA doctors told David Carey that they will not agree to re-intubate his mother if she fails a breathing trial in alleged violation of the POLST, the suit states.
On Friday, UCLA doctors stopped taking lab tests to monitor Jeanne Carey's condition, her son states in a sworn declaration in support of the request for a TRO.