title: Ethical considerations in the treatment of AIDS patients in the intensive care unit.
abstract: The treatment of patients with AIDS in the ICU presents the clinician with special challenges. The admission policies of ICUs are examined, and the authors suggest ways in which ethical difficulties may be minimized. A new concept of futility is suggested, which considers both the patient's holistic needs together with his or her immediate medical prognosis. Changes in the law regarding patient choice are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Terem Immediate Medical Care, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Sprung
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016223:Advance Directives; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010343:Patient Admission; D010358:Patient Participation; D018579:Patient Selection; D011379:Prognosis; D040841:Resource Allocation; D015996:Survival Rate; D013727:Terminal Care; D028761:Withholding Treatment