Palliative care in the surgical intensive care unit: where least expected, where most needed.
Despite dramatic improvements in survival from a broad range of afflictions seen in the surgical critical care unit, the problem of suffering in its many forms and its long-term consequences will remain as long as mortality characterizes the human condition. Palliative care in the surgical intensive care unit is an extension of time-honoured surgical principles and traditions that aims to relieve suffering and improve quality of life associated with serious illness as an end in it self or as part of treatment to save and prolong life.
Dunn
Geoffrey P
GP
Department of Surgery, Hamot Medical Center, Erie, Pennsylvania 16505, and New Jersey Medical School-University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, USA. gpdunn1@earthlink.net
Mosenthal
Anne C
AC
D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D059408:Pain Management; D010166:Palliative Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D028761:Withholding Treatment