Article: The concepts of Vegetative State (VS) and Minimally Conscious State (MCS): Concept definition, Situation evaluation, indemnification, life projects

By T. SARRAF*, N. MONTROBERT**, C. BOURRAIN***, M. JACQUIN***, F. TASSEAU****

* Médecin Chef de Service
** Cadre socio-éducatif
*** Ergothérapeute
**** Directeur Médical

Abstract

Progress in neuroimaging and electrophysiology allow a better evaluation of these conditions but the diagnosis is always clinical.
Today in France the public health response to the need to better manage patients in VS or MCS is being structured.
Once a diagnosis of VS or MCS is made the patients are then transferred to a long-term unit (called “proximity” units) or to home.