RESUSCITATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT - TOWARDS A DIGNIFIED DEATH

Social scientists and ethicists often blame the increased use of advan ced medical technologies for the undignified character of contemporary dying. Based on ethnographic material and in-depth interviews with he alth-care providers, I analyse how resuscitation technology shapes sud den death in emergency departments, First, I examine the extent to whi ch the course of resuscitative efforts is a consequence of technologic al factors or of health care system characteristics, Second, I look at how resuscitation technologies indirectly offer an opportunity to fac e pending death. In the last part, I investigate how this opportunity can be fostered when the emergency department staff takes the needs of relatives and friends in consideration.