title: A good death.
abstract: We describe the cases of two patients discharged home directly from the ICU. Both patients had the strong wish to die at home after being told that there were no therapeutic options. Sometimes discharge is feasible and can mean very much for patients and their family. Taking measures to ensure a "good deathbed" is an obligation for doctors and nursing staff. However, due to the focus on cure this palliative goal is not always pursued.
authors.affiliation: Intensive and Respiratory Care, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Brigitte C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Beuks
authors.forename: Aafke C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Nijhof
authors.forename: John H J M
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Meertens
authors.forename: Jack J M
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Ligtenberg
authors.forename: Jaap E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Tulleken
authors.forename: Jan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Zijlstra
mesh_terms: D003643:Death; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D017060:Patient Satisfaction