Futile care policy. Lessons learned from three years' experience in a community hospital.
After reviewing intensive and life supportive care for patients in whom it was probably inappropriate, the hospital bioethics committee established a futile care policy. The issues we encountered in the first 3 years since the policy became effective should be instructive for other hospitals, physicians, and families.
Rivin
A U
AU
Office of Medical Education, Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center 90404, USA.
D001675:Bioethics; D002140:California; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D028741:Ethics Committees, Clinical; D033061:Ethics Consultation; D006126:Group Processes; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018447:Medical Futility; D040841:Resource Allocation; D012945:Social Values; D028761:Withholding Treatment