To the Editor.—
The statement by Brown et al (211:76, 1970) that "paradoxically, the physician groups most in favor of change were those least responsible for the care of dying patients—anesthesiologists" is not only an oversimplification but a wrong impression of what actually occurs in intensive care units and in the care of the dying. In many transplant centers anesthesiologists are key members of teams acting to certify donor suitability and are often charged with great responsibility in determination of the actual moment of death.
The anesthesiologist is rapidly becoming the bearer of the responsibility for the institution and management of resuscitative procedures and the judge of their success or failure. An anesthesiologist is often the first one to answer a "Code 99" call and by nature of his training is frequently the most qualified of the personnel available.
To say that anesthesiologists are "... specialists not giving traditional kinds
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