Withdrawing and withholding life-sustaining therapies are not the same.
Numerous lines of evidence support the premise that withholding and withdrawing life support measures in the intensive care unit are not the same. These include questionnaires, practical observations and an examination of national medical guidelines. It is important to distinguish between the two end of life options as their outcomes and management are significantly different. Appreciation of these differences allows the provision of accurate information, and facilitates decision making that is compassionate, caring and adherent to the needs of the patient and their family.
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel. levinp@netvision.net.il
Phillip D
PD
Levin
Charles L
CL
Sprung
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D013997:Time Factors; D028761:Withholding Treatment / Q000941:ethics*