title: The rationing of intensive care.
abstract: Meeting the challenges of allocating critical care resources in the fairest way possible depends upon the development of a standardized strategy for apportioning ICU services in times of limited supply. Two main approaches are emerging to handle these challenges. The first, rationing, requires the development of specific guidelines for determining ICU admission and discharge policies. The second approach involves improving the efficiencies of the care giving system itself. Either approach requires the establishment of a standard of care that reduces the potential for personal biases into the decision making process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, NY.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D005544:Forecasting; D015276:Health Care Rationing; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016134:Organizational Policy; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010343:Patient Admission; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010351:Patient Discharge; D018579:Patient Selection; D011287:Prejudice; D011379:Prognosis; D040841:Resource Allocation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index