Promoting a peaceful death in the ICU.
Care for the dying ICU patient and family should be inclusive of respect for their goals, preferences. and choices. Care should be comprehensive, inclusive of all the patient domains (physical, psychosocial and, spiritual), and inclusive of all the specialties and disciplines that can be helpful at this complex time. The families' concerns should be acknowledged and support given. Our ICUs need to develop supportive environments for those dying patients who stay in the unit. Quality improvement and ongoing evaluation will provide avenues of change for care of this special group of patients and families.
Kirchhoff
Karin T
KT
School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53792-2455, USA. ktkirchhoff@facstaff.wisc.edu
D017028:Caregivers; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000592:standards*; D012297:Right to Die; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000592:standards*