title: Palliative care in the intensive care unit.
abstract: Most patients who receive terminal care in the intensive care setting die after withdrawing or limiting of life-sustaining measures provided in the intensive care setting. The integration of palliative care into the intensive care unit (ICU) provides care, comfort, and planning for patients, families, and the medical staff to help decrease the emotional, spiritual, and psychological stress of a patient's death. Quality measures for palliative care in the ICU are discussed along with case studies to demonstrate how this integration is beneficial for a patient and family. Integrating palliative care into the ICU is also examined in regards to the complex adaptive system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Supportive and Palliative Care, Baylor Medical Center at Irving, 1901 North MacArthur Boulevard, Irving, TX 75061, USA. Electronic address: Jame.Restau@baylorhealth.edu.
authors.forename: Jame
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Restau
authors.affiliation: Department of Supportive and Palliative Care, Baylor Regional Medical Center at Carrollton, 4343 N. Josey Lane, Carrollton, TX 75010, USA.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D010166:Palliative Care; D016414:Resuscitation Orders / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Complex adaptive system; Intensive care; Palliative care; Patient- and family-centered care; Quality