Death in the pediatric ICU: caring for children and families at the end of life.
The need to improve care for children and families at the end of life is acknowledged widely. This article reviews current research concerning end-of-life care in the pediatric ICU. How children die, how decisions are made, management of the dying process, and parent and caregiver experiences are major themes. Gaps in current knowledge are identified, and suggestions are made for future research.
Copnell
Beverley
B
Neonatal Unit, The Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Melbourne, Australia. bev.copnell@rch.org.au
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001601:Bereavement; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000523:psychology*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D004645:Empathy; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005544:Forecasting; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015399:Nursing Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012944:Social Support; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D017749:Total Quality Management