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Dietrich CG, Schoppmeyer K. [Opportunities and risks of advance directives : An appraisal of the practice in Germany after legal regulation in 2009]. Schmerz 2024:10.1007/s00482-023-00771-0. [PMID: 38165491 DOI: 10.1007/s00482-023-00771-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Living wills/advance directives (AD) are an important tool for specifying patient wishes regarding medical care in the case of future inability to consent. Since 2009, German legislation defines framework conditions for the creation and validity of such directives in § 1901a BGB. METHODS An extensive literature search in an international and a German-language database was conducted to identify, analyze, and evaluate scientific articles on opportunities, risks, and problems in the creation and implementation of living wills. RESULTS Between 10 and 40% of patients have an AD. Among the stipulations in the AD, the demand for sufficient pain therapy is very important. However, numerous problems in the preparation and implementation of ADs reduce their value in everyday clinical practice. In particular, unclear conditions of validity, unspecific instructions for action, and lack of availability of the directives prevent practitioners from determining the patient's will. Other fundamental problems include frequent patient ambivalence and clinical ethical dissent. In addition, the framework condition of unlimited coverage set by the law carries the risk that changes of opinion in the course of life or disease are not taken into account. CONCLUSION Preparing an AD requires a high level of information, consultation, and time, as well as regular review or adjustment of its content. These factors are often not considered, thus complicating implementation and reducing the value of living wills. Possible solutions to these problems or alternative concepts for different patient settings are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph G Dietrich
- Gastro-Praxis Wiesbaden im Medicum, Langenbeckplatz 2, 65189, Wiesbaden, Deutschland.
| | - Konrad Schoppmeyer
- Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Euregio-Klinik GmbH, Nordhorn, Deutschland, Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 10, 48527
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Allner M, Gostian M, Balk M, Rupp R, Allner C, Mantsopoulos K, Ostgathe C, Iro H, Hecht M, Gostian AO. Advance directives in patients with head and neck cancer - status quo and factors influencing their creation. Palliat Care 2022; 21:47. [PMID: 35395940 PMCID: PMC8991502 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-022-00932-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Advance Care Planning including living wills and durable powers of attorney for healthcare is a highly relevant topic aiming to increase patient autonomy and reduce medical overtreatment. Data from patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are not currently available. The main objective of this study was to survey the frequency of advance directives (AD) in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods In this single center cross-sectional study, we evaluated patients during their regular follow-up consultations at Germany’s largest tertiary referral center for head and neck cancer, regarding the frequency, characteristics, and influencing factors for the creation of advance directives using a questionnaire tailored to our cohort. The advance directives included living wills, durable powers of attorney for healthcare, and combined directives. Results Four hundred and forty-six patients were surveyed from 07/01/2019 to 12/31/2019 (response rate = 68.9%). The mean age was 62.4 years (SD 11.9), 26.9% were women (n = 120). 46.4% of patients (n = 207) reported having authored at least one advance directive. These documents included 16 durable powers of attorney for healthcare (3.6%), 75 living wills (16.8%), and 116 combined directives (26.0%). In multivariate regression analysis, older age (OR ≤ 0.396, 95% CI 0.181–0.868; p = 0.021), regular medication (OR = 1.896, 95% CI 1.029–3.494; p = 0.040), and the marital status (“married”: OR = 2.574, 95% CI 1.142–5.802; p = 0.023; and “permanent partnership”: OR = 6.900, 95% CI 1.312–36.295; p = 0.023) emerged as significant factors increasing the likelihood of having an advance directive. In contrast, the stage of disease, the therapeutic regimen, the ECOG status, and the time from initial diagnosis did not correlate with the presence of any type of advance directive. Ninety-one patients (44%) with advance directives created their documents before the initial diagnoses of head and neck cancer. Most patients who decide to draw up an advance directive make the decision themselves or are motivated to do so by their immediate environment. Only 7% of patients (n = 16) actively made a conscious decision not create an advance directive. Conclusion Less than half of head and neck cancer patients had created an advance directive, and very few patients have made a conscious decision not to do so. Older and comorbid patients who were married or in a permanent partnership had a higher likelihood of having an appropriate document. Advance directives are an essential component in enhancing patient autonomy and allow patients to be treated according to their wishes even when they are unable to consent. Therefore, maximum efforts are advocated to increase the prevalence of advance directives, especially in head and neck cancer patients, whose disease often takes a crisis-like course. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12904-022-00932-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Allner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU), 91054, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
| | - Magdalena Gostian
- Department of Anesthesiology, Malteser Waldkrankenhaus St. Marien, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Balk
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU), 91054, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Robin Rupp
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU), 91054, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Clarissa Allner
- Emergency Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Klinikum Fürth, Fürth, Germany
| | - Konstantinos Mantsopoulos
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU), 91054, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Ostgathe
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU), Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Heinrich Iro
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU), 91054, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Markus Hecht
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU), Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Antoniu-Oreste Gostian
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU), 91054, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
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3
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End-of-Life Decision-Making in Intensive Care Ten Years after a Law on Advance Directives in Germany. MEDICINA-LITHUANIA 2021; 57:medicina57090930. [PMID: 34577853 PMCID: PMC8468200 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57090930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Mortality on Intensive Care Units (ICUs) is high and death frequently occurs after decisions to limit life-sustaining therapies. An advance directive is a tool meant to preserve patient autonomy by guiding anticipated future treatment decisions once decision-making capacity is lost. Since September 2009, advance directives are legally binding for the caregiver team and the patients' surrogate decision-maker in Germany. The change in frequencies of end-of-life decisions (EOLDs) and completed advance directives among deceased ICU patients ten years after the enactment of a law on advance directives in Germany is unknown. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis on all deceased patients of surgical ICUs of a German university medical center from 08/2008 to 09/2009 and from 01/2019 to 09/2019. Frequency of EOLDs and advance directives and the process of EOLDs were compared between patients admitted before and after the change in legislation. (No. of ethical approval EA2/308/20) Results: Significantly more EOLDs occurred in the 2019 cohort compared to the 2009 cohort (85.8% vs. 70.7% of deceased patients, p = 0.006). The number of patients possessing an advance directive to express a living or therapeutic will was higher in the 2019 cohort compared to the 2009 cohort (26.4% vs. 8.9%; difference: 17.5%, p < 0.001). Participation of the patients' family in the EOLD process (74.7% vs. 60.9%; difference: 13.8%, p = 0.048) and the frequency of documentation of EOLD-relevant information (50.0% vs. 18.7%; difference: 31.3%, p < 0.001) increased from 2009 to 2019. Discussion: During a ten-year period from 2009 to 2019, the frequency of EOLDs and the completion rate of advance directives have increased considerably. In addition, EOLD-associated communication and documentation have further improved.
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Michels G, Sieber CC, Marx G, Roller-Wirnsberger R, Joannidis M, Müller-Werdan U, Müllges W, Gahn G, Pfister R, Thürmann PA, Wirth R, Fresenborg J, Kuntz L, Simon ST, Janssens U, Heppner HJ. [Geriatric intensive care : Consensus paper of DGIIN, DIVI, DGAI, DGGG, ÖGGG, ÖGIAIN, DGP, DGEM, DGD, DGNI, DGIM, DGKliPha and DGG]. Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed 2020; 115:393-411. [PMID: 31278437 DOI: 10.1007/s00063-019-0590-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The proportion of elderly, frail, and multimorbid people has increased dramatically in recent decades resulting from demographic changes and will further increase, which will impact acute medical care. Prospective, randomized studies on geriatric intensive care are still lacking. There are also no international or national recommendations regarding the management of critically ill elderly patients. Based on an expert opinion, this consensus paper provides 16 statements that should be considered when dealing with geriatric critical care patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Michels
- Klinik III für Innere Medizin, Herzzentrum, Universität zu Köln, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Köln, Deutschland.
| | - Cornel C Sieber
- Institut für Biomedizin des Alterns, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Deutschland
| | - Gernot Marx
- Klinik für Operative Intensivmedizin und Intermediate Care, Medizinische Fakultät, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland
| | | | - Michael Joannidis
- Gemeinsame Einrichtung für Internistische Intensiv- und Notfallmedizin, Department Innere Medizin, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Österreich
| | - Ursula Müller-Werdan
- Klinik für Geriatrie und Altersmedizin, Evangelisches Geriatriezentrum Berlin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Wolfgang Müllges
- Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Georg Gahn
- Neurologische Klinik, Städtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe gGmbH, Karlsruhe, Deutschland
| | - Roman Pfister
- Klinik III für Innere Medizin, Herzzentrum, Universität zu Köln, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Petra A Thürmann
- Lehrstuhl für Klinische Pharmakologie, Helios Universitätsklinkum Wuppertal, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Wuppertal, Deutschland
| | - Rainer Wirth
- Klinik für Altersmedizin und Frührehabilitation, Marien Hospital Herne, Universitätsklinikum der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Herne, Deutschland
| | - Jana Fresenborg
- Seminar für Allgemeine BWL und Management im Gesundheitswesen, Universität zu Köln, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Ludwig Kuntz
- Seminar für Allgemeine BWL und Management im Gesundheitswesen, Universität zu Köln, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Steffen T Simon
- Zentrum für Palliativmedizin, Uniklinik Köln, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Uwe Janssens
- Klinik für Innere Medizin und Internistische Intensivmedizin, St.-Antonius-Hospital Eschweiler, Eschweiler, Deutschland
| | - Hans Jürgen Heppner
- Institut für Biomedizin des Alterns, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Deutschland
- Geriatrische Klinik und Tagesklinik, Lehrstuhl für Geriatrie, HELIOS Klinikum Schwelm, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Schwelm, Deutschland
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5
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Berendt J, Ostgathe C, Simon ST, Tewes M, Schlieper D, Schallenburger M, Meier S, Gahr S, Schwartz J, Neukirchen M. [Cooperation between intensive care and palliative care : The status quo in German Comprehensive Cancer Centers]. Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed 2020; 116:586-594. [PMID: 32767071 PMCID: PMC8494681 DOI: 10.1007/s00063-020-00712-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Hintergrund Die interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit zwischen Intensivmedizin und Palliativmedizin kann die Versorgungsqualität verbessern. Das Ausmaß dieser Zusammenarbeit ist aber bisher kaum untersucht. Ziel der Arbeit Es sollten die angebotenen und in Anspruch genommenen palliativmedizinischen Unterstützungsangebote auf den Intensivstationen deutscher onkologischer Spitzenzentren erfasst werden. Material und Methoden Durchgeführt wurde eine quantitativ-qualitative, deskriptive Umfrage an den 16 von der Stiftung Deutsche Krebshilfe geförderten Zentren. Die im quantitativen Teil erfragten Häufigkeiten werden als Mittelwert und Median mit den jeweiligen Streumaßen dargestellt, während die im qualitativen Teil erhobenen Triggerfaktoren mit einer Inhaltsanalyse nach Mayring ausgewertet wurden. Ergebnisse Von Juli bis August 2017 konnten Angaben aus 15 von 16 onkologischen Spitzenzentren (94 %) erfasst werden. Im Jahr 2016 wurden im Median 33 Intensivpatienten (Min. 0, Max. 100) palliativmedizinisch vorgestellt und 9 Patienten (Min. 1, Max. 30) auf eine Palliativstation verlegt. Regelmäßige intensivmedizinisch-palliativmedizinische Visiten sowie ein Screening-Tool zur Einbindung der spezialisierten Palliativmedizin sind an zwei onkologischen Spitzenzentren implementiert. Anhand von 23 genannten Triggern, die auf der Intensivstation eine palliativmedizinische Mitbehandlung ausgelöst haben, lassen sich nach qualitativer Analyse die drei Kategorien „Entscheidung und Einstellung des Teams“, „Zustand des Patienten“ und „Wunsch von Patienten und Angehörigen“ ableiten. Diskussion Trotz eines verfügbaren Angebots werden palliativmedizinische Ressourcen in den intensivmedizinischen Abteilungen der onkologischen Spitzenzentren immer noch selten genutzt. In die tägliche Routine integrierte Angebote wie Screening-Tools oder gemeinsame Visiten könnten die Ausnutzung der angebotenen palliativmedizinischen Ressourcen erhöhen und die Versorgungsqualität verbessern.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Berendt
- Palliativmedizinische Abteilung, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center EMN-Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Deutschland
| | - C Ostgathe
- Palliativmedizinische Abteilung, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center EMN-Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Deutschland
| | - S T Simon
- Zentrum für Palliativmedizin, Centrum für Integrierte Onkologie Aachen, Bonn, Köln, Düsseldorf, Uniklinik Köln, Köln, Deutschland
| | - M Tewes
- Westdeutsches Tumorzentrum, Innere Klinik (Tumorforschung), Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen, Deutschland
| | - D Schlieper
- Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Palliativmedizin, Universitätsklinikum, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - M Schallenburger
- Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Palliativmedizin, Universitätsklinikum, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - S Meier
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - S Gahr
- Palliativmedizinische Abteilung, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center EMN-Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Deutschland
| | - J Schwartz
- Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Palliativmedizin, Universitätsklinikum, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland.
| | - M Neukirchen
- Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Palliativmedizin, Universitätsklinikum, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland.,Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
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Cardona M, Anstey M, Lewis ET, Shanmugam S, Hillman K, Psirides A. Appropriateness of intensive care treatments near the end of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Breathe (Sheff) 2020; 16:200062. [PMID: 33304408 PMCID: PMC7714540 DOI: 10.1183/20734735.0062-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The patient and family perspective on the appropriateness of intensive care unit (ICU) treatments involves preferences, values and social constructs beyond medical criteria. The clinician's perception of inappropriateness is more reliant on clinical judgment. Earlier consultation with families before ICU admission and patient education on the outcomes of life-sustaining therapies may help reconcile these provider-patient disagreements. However, global emergencies like COVID-19 change the usual paradigm of end-of-life care, as it is a new disease with only scarce predictive information about it. Pandemics can also bring about the burdensome predicament of doctors having to make unwanted choices of rationing access to the ICU when demand for otherwise life-saving resources exceeds supply. Evidence-based prognostic checklists may guide treatment triage but the principles of shared decision-making are unchanged. Yet, they need to be altered with respect to COVID-19, defining likely outcomes and likelihood of benefit for the patient, and clarifying their willingness to take on the risks inherent to being in an ICU for 2 weeks for those eligible. For patients who are admitted during the prodrome of COVID-19 disease, or those who deteriorate in the second week, clinicians have some lead time in hospital to have appropriate discussions about ceilings of treatments offered based on severity. KEY POINTS The patient and family perspective on inappropriateness of intensive care at the end of life often differs from the clinician's opinion due to the nonmedical frame of mind.To improve satisfaction with communication on treatment goals, consultation on patient values and inclusion of social constructs in addition to clinical prediction is a good start to reconcile differences between physician and health service users' viewpoints.During pandemics, where health systems may collapse, different admission criteria driven by the need to ration services may be warranted. EDUCATIONAL AIMS To explore the extent to which older patients and their families are involved in decisions about appropriateness of intensive care admission or treatmentsTo understand how patients or their families define inappropriate intensive care admission or treatmentsTo reflect on the implications of decision to admit or not to admit to the intensive care unit in the face of acute resource shortages during a pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnolia Cardona
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Australia
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Australia
| | - Matthew Anstey
- Intensive Care Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Ebony T. Lewis
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
| | | | - Ken Hillman
- Intensive Care Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, Australia
| | - Alex Psirides
- Intensive Care Unit, Wellington Regional Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand
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[Geriatric intensive care : Consensus paper of DGIIN, DIVI, DGAI, DGGG, ÖGGG, ÖGIAIN, DGP, DGEM, DGD, DGNI, DGIM, DGKliPha and DGG]. Z Gerontol Geriatr 2019; 52:440-456. [PMID: 31278486 DOI: 10.1007/s00391-019-01584-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The proportion of elderly, frail, and multimorbid people has increased dramatically in recent decades resulting from demographic changes and will further increase, which will impact acute medical care. Prospective, randomized studies on geriatric intensive care are still lacking. There are also no international or national recommendations regarding the management of critically ill elderly patients. Based on an expert opinion, this consensus paper provides 16 statements that should be considered when dealing with geriatric critical care patients.
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Higel T, Alaoui A, Bouton C, Fournier JP. Effect of Living Wills on End-of-Life Care: A Systematic Review. J Am Geriatr Soc 2018; 67:164-171. [PMID: 30508301 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.15630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To comprehensively assess the effect of a living will on end-of-life care. DESIGN Systematic review with narrative analysis following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses methodology. PARTICIPANTS All interventional and observational studies were included, excepting those with fictive cases. Included studies were conducted in adults with and without living wills, excluding individuals with specific psychiatric living wills. MEASUREMENTS Two authors independently extracted study and participant characteristics and outcomes related to end-of-life care (place of death, hospitalization and intensive care unit management, life-sustaining treatments, restricted care). Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions tool. RESULTS From 7,596 records identified, 28 observational studies were included, 19 conducted in the United States, 7 in Europe, and 1 each in Canada and Australia. Place of death was assessed in 14 studies, life-sustaining treatments in 13, decision for restricted care in 12, and hospitalization in 8. Risk of bias was serious for 26 studies and moderate for 2. Twenty-one studies reported significantly less medical management for individuals with a living will, 3 reported more medical management, and the difference was not significant in 37. CONCLUSION Methodological quality of included studies was insufficient to offer reliable results. The effect of living wills appears limited in view of the importance and direction of potential biases. Further studies including larger populations, considering main confounding factors, and documenting the real presence of a living will in medical records are necessary to reach stronger conclusions on the effect of living wills on end-of-life care. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:164-171, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Higel
- Département de Médecine Générale, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Anna Alaoui
- Département de Médecine Générale, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Céline Bouton
- Département de Médecine Générale, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Jean-Pascal Fournier
- Département de Médecine Générale, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
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9
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de Heer G, Saugel B, Sensen B, Rübsteck C, Pinnschmidt HO, Kluge S. Advance Directives and Powers of Attorney in Intensive Care Patients. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2018. [PMID: 28625275 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2017.0363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advance directives and powers of attorney are increasingly common, yet data on their use in clinical situations remain sparse. METHODS In this single center cross-sectional study, we collected data by questionnaire from 1004 intensive care patients in a university hospital. The frequencies of advance directives and powers of attorney were determined, and the factors affecting them were studied with multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Usable data were obtained from 998 patients. 51.3% stated that they had prepared a document of at least one of these two kinds. Among them, 39.6% stated that they had given the relevant document(s) to the hospital, yet such documents were present in the patient's hospital record for only 23%. 508 patients stated their reasons for preparing an advance directive or a power of attorney: the most common reason (48%) was the fear of being at other people's mercy, of the lack of self-determination, or of medical overtreatment. The most important factors associated with a patient's statement that he/she had prepared such a document were advanced age (advance directive: 1.022 [1.009; 1.036], p = 0.001; power of attorney: 1.027 [1.014; 1.040], p<0.001) and elective admission to the hospital (advance directive: 1.622 [1.138; 2.311], p<0.007; power of attorney: 1.459 [1.049; 2.030], p = 0.025). 39.8% of the advance directives and 44.1% of the powers of attorney that were present in the hospital records were poorly interpretable because of the incomplete filling-out of preprinted forms. Half of the patients who did not have such a document had already thought of preparing one, but had not yet done so. CONCLUSION For patients hospitalized in intensive care units, there should be early discussion about the presence or absence of documents of these kinds and early evaluation of the patient's concrete wishes in critical situations. Future studies are needed to determine how best to assure that these documents will be correctly prepared and then given over to hospital staff so that they can take their place in the patient's record.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldine de Heer
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Center for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE); Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE); Department of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE)
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Hartog CS, Hoffmann F, Mikolajetz A, Schröder S, Michalsen A, Dey K, Riessen R, Jaschinski U, Weiss M, Ragaller M, Bercker S, Briegel J, Spies C, Schwarzkopf D. [Non-beneficial therapy and emotional exhaustion in end-of-life care : Results of a survey among intensive care unit personnel]. Anaesthesist 2018; 67:850-858. [PMID: 30209513 DOI: 10.1007/s00101-018-0485-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND End-of-life care (EOLC) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is becoming increasingly more common but ethical standards are compromised by growing economic pressure. It was previously found that perception of non-beneficial treatment (NBT) was independently associated with the core burnout dimension of emotional exhaustion. It is unknown whether factors of the work environment also play a role in the context of EOLC. OBJECTIVE Is the working environment associated with perception of NBT or clinician burnout? MATERIAL AND METHODS Physicians and nursing personnel from 11 German ICUs who took part in an international, longitudinal prospective observational study on EOLC in 2015-2016 were surveyed using validated instruments. Risk factors were obtained by multivariate multilevel analysis. RESULTS The participation rate was 49.8% of personnel working in the ICU at the time of the survey. Overall, 325 nursing personnel, 91 residents and 26 consulting physicians participated. Nurses perceived NBT more frequently than physicians. Predictors for the perception of NBT were profession, collaboration in the EOLC context, excessively high workload (each p ≤ 0.001) and the numbers of weekend working days per month (p = 0.012). Protective factors against burnout included intensive care specialization (p = 0.001) and emotional support within the team (p ≤ 0.001), while emotional exhaustion through contact with relatives at the end of life and a high workload were both increased (each p ≤ 0.001). DISCUSSION Using the example of EOLC, deficits in the work environment and stress factors were uncovered. Factors of the work environment are associated with perceived NBT. To reduce NBT and burnout, the quality of the work environment should be improved and intensive care specialization and emotional support within the team enhanced. Interprofessional decision-making among the ICU team and interprofessional collaboration should be improved by regular joint rounds and interprofessional case discussions. Mitigating stressful factors such as communication with relatives and high workload require allocation of respective resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane S Hartog
- Klinik für Anästhesie m.S. operative Intensivmedizin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
- Klinik Bavaria Kreischa, Kreischa, Deutschland.
| | - F Hoffmann
- Klinik für Anästhesie und Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinik Jena, Jena, Deutschland
| | - A Mikolajetz
- Klinik für Anästhesie und Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinik Jena, Jena, Deutschland
| | - S Schröder
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie, operative Intensivmedizin, Notfallmedizin und Schmerztherapie, Krankenhaus Düren, Düren, Deutschland
| | - A Michalsen
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Intensivmedizin, Notfallmedizin und Schmerztherapie, Medizin Campus Bodensee - Klinik Tettnang, Tettnang, Deutschland
| | - K Dey
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Intensivmedizin, Notfallmedizin und Schmerztherapie, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - R Riessen
- Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Tübingen, Deutschland
| | - U Jaschinski
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Operative Intensivmedizin, Klinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Deutschland
| | - M Weiss
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Ulm, Deutschland
| | - M Ragaller
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivtherapie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Dresden, Deutschland
| | - S Bercker
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivtherapie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland
| | - J Briegel
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Klinikum der Universität, LMU München, München, Deutschland
| | - C Spies
- Klinik für Anästhesie m.S. operative Intensivmedizin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - D Schwarzkopf
- Klinik für Anästhesie und Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinik Jena, Jena, Deutschland
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[Quality of dying processes after commencement of the German Living Will Act : Experiences of a surgical intensive care unit]. Chirurg 2018; 88:244-250. [PMID: 27995297 DOI: 10.1007/s00104-016-0345-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is so far no information on how the third act on amendment of the German guardianship law from 29 July 2009 has affected dying processes of critically ill patients. METHODS This retrospective study analyzed the patterns of dying processes in postoperative critically ill patients treated from 2009 to 2012 (period II after the commencement of the German Living Will Act) and 10 years before (period I, 1999-2002). Independent associations were calculated by logistic regression. RESULTS In the observation period II (n = 137 dying patients) time until death significantly decreased to 19.3 days (95% CI 14.8-23.8, p = 0.008) vs. 29.2 days (95% CI 23.7-34.6) in period I (n = 163). In period II respect of the patient's will preceded death in 42.3% of the dying patients (period I: 8.6%, p < 0.001). Simultaneously, the frequency of patients with a severe preoperative comorbidity (failure of more than one organ) increased (26.8% of dying patients vs. 5.5% in period I, p = 0.001). The treatment during period II was, in addition to high age and a severe comorbidity, a significant independent predictor for the possibility that respect of the patient's will preceded death (odds ratio 7.42; 95% CI 3.77-14.60). CONCLUSION Independent of various covariables, treatment after the commencement of the German Living Will Act was associated with a broader and earlier respect of the patient's will, thereby shortening the time until death.
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12
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[Position paper of the German Society for Medical Intensive Care Medicine and Emergency Medicine (DGIIN) on medical intensive care medicine]. Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed 2018; 111:295-301. [PMID: 27142094 DOI: 10.1007/s00063-016-0157-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In this paper the German Society for Medical Intensive Care Medicine and Emergency Medicine (DGIIN) provides statements regarding the importance and advancement of Medical Intensive Care Medicine within the structures of Internal Medicine in Germany. Of pivotal importance are the training of medical intensivists, the cooperation with intensivists from other disciplines and the collaboration with emergency departments. In order to fulfil the various and challenging tasks in patient care, training, research and medical education competently and on an international level, more intensivists in leading positions especially in academic institutions are essential.
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13
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Integration der Palliativmedizin in die Intensivmedizin. Anaesthesist 2017; 66:660-666. [DOI: 10.1007/s00101-017-0326-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Limiting treatment and shortening of life: data from a cross-sectional survey in Germany on frequencies, determinants and patients' involvement. BMC Palliat Care 2017; 16:3. [PMID: 28095908 PMCID: PMC5240447 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-016-0176-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Limiting treatment forms part of practice in many fields of medicine. There is a scarcity of robust data from Germany. Therefore, in this paper, we report results of a survey among German physicians with a focus on frequencies, aspects of decision making and determinants of limiting treatment with expected or intended shortening of life. Methods Postal survey among a random sample of physicians working in the area of five German state chambers of physicians using a modified version of the questionnaire of the EURELD Consortium. Information requested referred to the patients who died most recently within the last 12 months. Logistic regression was performed to analyse associations between characteristics of physicians and patients regarding limitation of treatment with expected or intended shortening of life. Results As reported elsewhere, 734 physicians responded (response rate 36.9%) and of these, 174 (43.2%) reported a withholding and 144 (35.7%) a withdrawal of treatment. Eighty one physicians estimated that there was at least some shortening of life as a consequence. In 25.9% of these cases hastening death had been discussed with the patient at the time or immediately prior to this action. Types of treatment most frequently limited was artificial nutrition (n = 35). Bivariate analysis indicates that limitation of treatment with possible or intended shortening of life for patients aged > 75 years is performed significantly more often (p = 0.007, OR 1.848). There was significantly less limitation of treatment in patients who died from cancer compared to patients with other causes of death (p = 0.01, OR 0.486). There was no significant statistical association with physicians’ religion, palliative care qualification or frequencies of limiting treatment. Conclusions In comparison to recent research from other European countries, limitation of treatment with expected or intended shortening of life is frequently performed amongst the investigated sample. The role of clinical and non-medical aspects possibly relevant for physicians’ decision about withholding or withdrawal of treatment with possible or intended shortening of life and reasons for non-involvement of patients should be explored in more detail by means of mixed method and interdisciplinary empirical-ethical analysis.
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Bjørshol CA, Sollid S, Flaatten H, Hetland I, Mathiesen WT, Søreide E. Great variation between ICU physicians in the approach to making end-of-life decisions. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2016; 60:476-84. [PMID: 26941116 DOI: 10.1111/aas.12640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION End-of-life (EOL) decision-making in the intensive care unit (ICU) is difficult, but is rarely practiced in simulated settings. We wanted to explore different strategies ICU physicians use when making EOL decisions, and whether attitudes towards EOL decisions differ between a small-group simulation setting and a large-group plenary setting. METHODS The study took place during a Scandinavian anaesthesiology and intensive care conference. The simulated ICU patient had a cancer disease with a grave prognosis, had undergone surgery, suffered from severe co-morbidities and had a son present demanding all possible treatment. The participants were asked to make a decision regarding further ICU care. We presented the same case scenario in a plenary session with voting opportunities. RESULTS In the simulation group (n = 48), ICU physicians used various strategies to come to an EOL decision: patient-oriented, family-oriented, staff-oriented and regulatory-oriented. The simulation group was more willing than the plenary group (n = 47) to readmit the patient to the ICU if the patient again would need respiratory support (32% vs. 8%, P < 0.001). Still, fewer participants in the simulation group than in the plenary group (21% vs. 38%, P = 0.019) considered the patient's life expectancy of living an independent life to be over 10%. CONCLUSION There was great variation between ICU physicians in the approach to making EOL decisions, and large variations in their life expectancy estimates. Participants in the simulation group were more willing to admit and readmit the patient to the ICU, despite being more pessimistic towards life expectancies. We believe simulation can be used more extensively in EOL decision-making training.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. A. Bjørshol
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care; Stavanger University Hospital; Stavanger Norway
- Stavanger Acute Medicine Foundation for Education and Research; Stavanger University Hospital; Stavanger Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine; University of Bergen; Bergen Norway
| | - S. Sollid
- Department of Research and Development; Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation; Drøbak Norway
- Department of Health Care Sciences; University of Stavanger; Stavanger Norway
| | - H. Flaatten
- Department of Clinical Medicine; University of Bergen; Bergen Norway
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care; Haukeland University Hospital; Bergen Norway
| | - I. Hetland
- Stavanger Acute Medicine Foundation for Education and Research; Stavanger University Hospital; Stavanger Norway
| | - W. T. Mathiesen
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care; Stavanger University Hospital; Stavanger Norway
| | - E. Søreide
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care; Stavanger University Hospital; Stavanger Norway
- Stavanger Acute Medicine Foundation for Education and Research; Stavanger University Hospital; Stavanger Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine; University of Bergen; Bergen Norway
- Department of Health Care Sciences; University of Stavanger; Stavanger Norway
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Approaches to patients and families with strong religious beliefs regarding end-of-life care. Curr Opin Crit Care 2015; 20:668-72. [PMID: 25215868 DOI: 10.1097/mcc.0000000000000148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW End-of-life (EOL) decisions with limitations are made daily in ICUs around the world and may involve between 2 and 22% of patients admitted to an ICU. EOL decisions may be affected by numerous factors, including location and religion. This review aims to determine an approach to patients and families with strong religious views. RECENT FINDINGS Different religions have different approaches and beliefs regarding EOL care. Religious people choose more active life-sustaining measures than would nonreligious people. The patient's views on EOL care should be understood, although this is often not possible and the family members' or surrogates' understanding of the patient's wishes is relied upon. This is problematic as the family's wishes may differ from those of the patient. Family members may also have different religious beliefs or have different expressions of their beliefs. Through an open communication with the patient and/or family members, an understanding of the patient's views can be obtained and decisions regarding their involvement in decision making can be taken. Conflicts can be resolved by an interdisciplinary team approach including religious leaders. SUMMARY Through proper open communication and understanding of the patient's and/or family's views on EOL care and involvement of religious leaders, decisions can be made regarding how to further care for the patient.
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