End-of-life decision making in the ICU.
A large proportion of deaths, particularly in the developed world, follows admission to an ICU. Therefore, end-of life decision making is an essential facet of critical care practice. For intensivists, managing death in the critically ill has become a key professional skill. They must be thoroughly familiar with the ethical framework that guides end-of-life decision making. Decisions should generally be made collaboratively by clinicians partnering with patients' families. Treatment choices should be crafted to meet specific, achievable goals. A rational, empathic approach to working with families should encourage appropriate, mutually satisfactory outcomes.
Siegel
Mark D
MD
Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8057, USA. mark.siegel@yale.edu
D016223:Advance Directives; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics*; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000941:ethics; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000941:ethics*; D018447:Medical Futility / Q000941:ethics; D011368:Professional-Family Relations / Q000941:ethics; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000941:ethics*; D020458:Third-Party Consent / Q000941:ethics; D014218:Triage / Q000941:ethics; D028761:Withholding Treatment / Q000941:ethics