title: The ethics of intensive care.
abstract: An explanation is provided of the logical steps taken before assigning patients to critical care therapy in a major multidisciplinary intensive care unit of the University of Paris at the Hospital Henri Mondor. The factors considered by the staff in deciding to terminate intensive therapy are also enumerated. This system has not been influenced by the major legal pressures found in the United States but has been shaped by more chronic fiscal constraints.
mesh_terms: D001926:Brain Death / Q000175:diagnosis; D003422:Critical Care / Q000592:standards*; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005602:France; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D010166:Palliative Care; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D018579:Patient Selection; D011788:Quality of Life; D040841:Resource Allocation; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D028761:Withholding Treatment