Quality of dying and death in two medical ICUs: perceptions of family and clinicians.
OBJECTIVE
We compared perceptions of the quality of dying and death in the ICU across nurses, resident physicians, attending physicians, and family members. The aim was to obtain a surrogate assessment of the quality of the dying process and examine differences in the perceptions of different types of raters.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey of family members and ICU clinicians conducted following the death of enrolled patients.


METHODS
Two medical ICUs at academic tertiary care medical centers.


METHODS
Patients dying in the ICU (n = 68).


RESULTS
The previously validated Quality of Dying and Death (QODD) instrument was modified for use in the ICU. Within 48 h of the time of death, the nurse, resident, and attending physician caring for the patient were asked to complete the QODD. One month following the death, a designated family member was contacted and the QODD was administered on the telephone. Family members and attending physicians gave the most favorable ratings of death, while nurses and residents provided less favorable ratings. Significant differences between these groups were notable (p < 0.01) on items related to patient autonomy: maintaining dignity, being touched by loved ones, and the overall quality of death.


CONCLUSIONS
The perception of dying and death in the ICU varies considerably between nurses, attending physicians, resident physicians, and family members. Further studies are needed to explain these differences and determine the utility of the ICU QODD instrument for assessing and improving the quality of end-of-life care in the ICU.
Levy
Cari R
CR
Division of Healthcare Policy and Research, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Aurora, CO 80011, USA. cari.levy@uchsc.edu
Ely
E Wesley
EW
Payne
Kate
K
Engelberg
Ruth A
RA
Patrick
Donald L
DL
Curtis
J Randall
JR
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D016414:Resuscitation Orders; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013714:Tennessee; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000592:standards*