[Economy in intensive care medicine--a contradiction?].
BACKGROUND
Medical progress and demographic changes will lead to increasing budgetary constraints in the health care system in the coming years. With respect to economic, medical, and ethical aspects, intensive care medicine has a particular role within the health system. Nonetheless, financial restriction will be inevitable in the near future.


METHODS
A literature review was performed.


RESULTS
In an era of economic decline accompanied by widespread recognition that healthcare costs are on a consistent upward spiral, rationalization and rationing are unavoidable. Priorization models will play a pivotal role in allocation of resources. Individual ethics (respect for autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence) as well as justice are essential in daily practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Economic thinking and acting as well as being ethically responsible are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, acting in an ethically responsible manner will be of considerable significance given the pressure of increasing costs in intensive care medicine.
Klinik für Innere Medizin, St.-Antonius-Hospital, Dechant-Deckers-Str. 8, 52249, Eschweiler, Deutschland, uwe.janssens@sah-eschweiler.de.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003363:Cost Control / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D003422:Critical Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000941:ethics / Q000639:trends; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D005858:Germany; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000191:economics* / Q000941:ethics / Q000639:trends; D006292:Health Priorities / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics / Q000639:trends; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics* / Q000941:ethics / Q000639:trends; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011908:Rationalization; D055815:Young Adult