Authors

Iván Mª Ortega Deballon

Position

Diplomado en Enfermería. Licenciado en Derecho. Especialista en Responsabilidad Sanitaria y Experto en Bioética. Técnico de Emergencias de SAMUR. Profesor colaborador de Ética y Legislación en EUE Puerta de Hierro, Madrid.

Contact address

C/Mondejar2.275. Urbanizacón Las Castillas. 19174 Torrejón del Rey, Guadalajara.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyse from an ethical and legal perspective the emergency services provided to the multiple victims of the Madrid massacre, unfortunately a subject of current interest after the terrorist attacks perpetrated on march the 11th. Based on a personal and professional experience, the author, as an individual who delivered immediate medical attention to the injured, takes a very close look at the ethical and legal conflicts generated by the decisions taken in a situation such as this one. Legal concepts such as the exemption circumstance of criminal responsibility born out of a state of necessity are examined, explaining the need to proceed to do a "triage" or classification of the victims according to very precise medical criteria that are reasonable and justified from an ethical, legal and healthcare provision point of view.

Keywords:

Bioethics; legislation; state of necessity; triage; emergency medical caremultiple victims

Versión en Español

Título:

Reflexión ético-legal de la asistencia de urgencia prestada tras los actos terroristas del 11-M