title: Framework for decision-making and management of end-of-life decisions in Intensive Care Units: A modified protocol.
abstract: End-of-life decisions are being made daily in Intensive Care Units worldwide. The spectrum of options varies from full-continued care, withholding treatment, withdrawing treatment, and active life-ending procedures depending on the institutional practices and legal framework. Considering the complexity of the situation and the legalities involved, it is important to have a structured approach toward these sensitive decisions. It does make sense to have a protocol that ensures proper documentation and helps ease the physicians involved in such decisions. Clear documentation in the format of a checklist would ensure consistency and help the entire medical team to be uniformly informed about the end-of-life plan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care, Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Medical Intensive Care Unit, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Wellington Regional Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Psirides
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care, Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Medical Intensive Care Unit, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Namrata
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maheshwari
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care, Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Medical Intensive Care Unit, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Vipal
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chawla
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care, Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Medical Intensive Care Unit, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Amit K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mandal
keywords: Checklist; Intensive Care Unit; end-of-life decisions