I would imagine many are going through these things...Why do they continue these pointless tests?

Ask yourself, what would Mom want. Yes, we second think ourselves. Luckily I had an RN in the family that worked in NHs so understood "end of life". She had already sat down with grandmom and asked what she wanted and explained what that decision meant in the way of her care.

I agree enough is enough. I stopped a few of Moms doctors. One was suggested because of a thickness in her upper stomach. She went a few times just to keep check, nothing happened. Hearing doctor said not worth bringing her back because she no longer understood his questions or the audiology process. Her urologist was having her come back every year for a scope for bladder cancer she had been free from for 8 yrs. She was 88. I stopped that.

I agree with Alva, what is a TEE going to show that they already don't know. She has a clot. They probably won't operate. They can give meds to try dissolve it. You probably won't be allowed to be with her if she goes for that test and she will be so confused. I wouldn't put her through it. No more poking and prodding. Let her have peace.

Healthcare is a business. We have to say, no more.

Doctors are trained to diagnose a medical problem and to find a solution for it. They are not schooled in end of life care. And yes, malpractice is an issue they want to avoid by performing many uneccessary tests. Continue to say "no" to their supposedly life extending procedures and instead request palliative or hospice care.

Alvadeer,
Thanks!!!! I am so tired.....
Why does the medical community keep it going????

Arimithea, it is time to ask mom's docs about hospice.

And they would plan to do just WHAT about that clot other than film it? How about "just say no" to the TEE. They could use a surprise. They plan on using her as a cash machine before she goes? Perhaps a few bypasses? Like you said. Enough. Discuss palliative with them.
Doctors can suggest. You say no. Then there is no malpractice. I don't even do mammograms on myself anymore. They ask. I say no. They grin.
The non invasive tests, echos and etc will tell them a lot. Let them know that if they cannot do it with simple scan, xray, ehcocardiograms not trans-esophogeal echo (TEE) ones, the they simply won't know. Make their best guess and treat her as that guess. Not like they are gonna make her 20 years younger is it?
Good luck. And yes, dependent on how much they get paid for these tests usually means how many they will do. Why I love Kaiser.Always good to see you about, Arimethea.