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Sobh ZK, Ghanem M, Kholief M. Physicians' perspectives on different therapeutic approaches for aluminum phosphide poisoning and their relevant outcomes. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2023; 12:615-625. [PMID: 37663810 PMCID: PMC10470372 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfad053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Aluminum phosphide is a highly toxic pesticide that results in high mortality. To date, there is neither a definitive antidote nor a unified protocol for managing acute aluminum phosphide poisoning. Objectives This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study aims to explore different management approaches and rely on the expertise of Egyptian medical professionals to enhance the prognosis for acute aluminum phosphide poisoning. Subjects and methods A self-administered questionnaire was formulated and electronically distributed according to published literature and experience of senior physicians. Results and conclusions Responses were received from 151 physicians from 10 governorates. Management modalities were variable among respondents. Noradrenaline was used by 90.7% of respondents with no fixed-dose regimen. In all, 84.1% of participants utilized oil in gastrointestinal decontamination; paraffin oil was the most used solution. Overall, 92.1, 61.6, 46.4, and 34.4% of participants used sodium bicarbonate, proton pump inhibitors, IV magnesium sulfate, and antioxidants, respectively. Regarding the frequency of acute aluminum phosphide poisoning, 47% of participants managed these cases daily or a few times a week. Participants' responses denoted a poor prognosis of acute aluminum phosphide poisoning, and high percentages attributed the prognosis to exposure factors rather than treatment modalities. Statistical analysis revealed that using oil in gastrointestinal decontamination improved the outcome by 4.62-fold. Clinical toxicologists were more likely to rescue ≥ 30% of the cases about 3-fold (2.97) than other specialties. Clinical toxicologists used oil in gastrointestinal decontamination, magnesium sulfate, and antioxidant therapy and calculated base deficit before administration of sodium bicarbonate by 7.70-, 5.30-, 3.26-, and 2.08-fold than other specialties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahraa K Sobh
- Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21517, Egypt
| | - Maha Ghanem
- Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21517, Egypt
| | - Marwa Kholief
- Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21517, Egypt
- Center of Excellence for Research in Regenerative Medicine and Applications (CERRMA) in Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21517, Egypt
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Milling L, Nielsen DS, Kjær J, Binderup LG, de Muckadell CS, Christensen HC, Christensen EF, Lassen AT, Mikkelsen S. Ethical considerations in the prehospital treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A multi-centre, qualitative study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284826. [PMID: 37494384 PMCID: PMC10370897 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prehospital emergency physicians have to navigate complex decision-making in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) treatment that includes ethical considerations. This study explores Danish prehospital physicians' experiences of ethical issues influencing their decision-making during OHCA. METHODS We conducted a multisite ethnographic study. Through convenience sampling, we included 17 individual interviews with prehospital physicians and performed 22 structured observations on the actions of the prehospital personnel during OHCAs. We collected data during more than 800 observation hours in the Danish prehospital setting between December 2019 and April 2022. Data were analysed with thematic analysis. RESULTS All physicians experienced ethical considerations that influenced their decision-making in a complex interrelated process. We identified three overarching themes in the ethical considerations: Expectations towards patient prognosis and expectations from relatives, bystanders, and colleagues involved in the cardiac arrest; the values and beliefs of the physician and values and beliefs of others involved in the cardiac arrest treatment; and dilemmas encountered in decision-making such as conflicting values. CONCLUSION This extensive qualitative study provides an in-depth look at aspects of ethical considerations in decision-making in prehospital resuscitation and found aspects of ethical decision-making that could be harmful to both physicians and patients, such as difficulties in handling advance directives and potential unequal outcomes of the decision-making. The results call for multifaceted interventions on a wider societal level with a focus on advance care planning, education of patients and relatives, and interventions towards prehospital clinicians for a better understanding and awareness of ethical aspects of decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Milling
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Prehospital Research Unit, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Dorthe Susanne Nielsen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jeannett Kjær
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Prehospital Research Unit, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lars Grassmé Binderup
- Department for the Study of Culture, Philosophy, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | | | - Erika Frischknecht Christensen
- Centre for Prehospital and Emergency Research, Aalborg University Hospital and Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Emergency Medical Services, Region North Denmark, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Søren Mikkelsen
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Prehospital Research Unit, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Hanson S, Lassen A, Nielsen D, Ryg J, Forero R, Brabrand M. Resuscitation Preferences of Older Acutely Admitted Medical and Mentally Competent Patients with One and Six Months Follow-up. Resuscitation 2023:109836. [PMID: 37196801 DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2023.109836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
AIM Determining patients' cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) preferences in the emergency department (ED) is common practice but the stability of these preferences and their recollection by patients has been questioned. Therefore, this study assessed the stability and recall of CPR preferences of older patients at and following ED discharge. METHODS This survey-based cohort study was conducted between February and September 2020 at three EDs in Denmark. It consecutively asked mentally competent patients aged 65 years or older who were admitted to hospital through the ED and then one and six months later "In your current state of health, do you wish that physicians should try to intervene if your heart stops beating?" Possible responses were confined to "definitely yes", "definitely no", "uncertain", and "prefer not to answer". RESULTS In total, 3688 patients admitted to hospital via the ED patients were screened, 1766 were eligible and 491 (27.8%) were included: median age was 76 (IQR 71-82) years, and 257 (52.3%) were men. One third of patients who expressed definite yes or no preferences in ED had changed their preference at one month follow-up. Only 90 (27.4%) and 94 (35.7%) patients recalled their preferences at one and six months follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSION and Relevance In this study, one-in-three older ED patients who initially expressed definite resuscitation preferences had changed their minds at one month follow-up. Preferences were more stable at six months but only a minority were able to recall their preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stine Hanson
- Department of Regional Health Research, Center-Esbjerg, University of Southern Denmark.
| | - Annmarie Lassen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Denmark, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark
| | - Dorthe Nielsen
- Family focused healthcare research Centre, Odense University Hospital; Geriatric Research Unit, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Denmark, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark
| | - Jesper Ryg
- Geriatric Research Unit, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Denmark, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark
| | - Roberto Forero
- Simpson Centre for Health Services Research, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, SWS Clinical Campuses, Liverpool Hospital, UNSW, Sydney and Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool BC, 1871, NSW, Australia
| | - Mikkel Brabrand
- Department of Emergency, Medicine, Hospital of South West Jutland, Denmark, University of Southern Denmark, Institute of Regional Health Research, Center-Esbjerg, University of Southern Denmark
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Quah ELY, Chua KZY, Lua JK, Wan DWJ, Chong CS, Lim YX, Krishna L. A Systematic Review of Stakeholder Perspectives of Dignity and Assisted Dying. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 65:e123-e136. [PMID: 36244639 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The debate on assisted dying and its components, euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide has evolved with the emergence of the right to dignity and the wish to hasten death (WTHD). Whilst shaped by local legal and sociocultural considerations, appreciation of how patients, healthcare professionals and lawmakers relate notions of dignity to self-concepts of personhood and the desire for assisted dying will better inform and direct support of patients. METHODS Guided by the Systematic Evidence Based Approach, a systematic scoping review (SSR in SEBA) on perspectives of dignity, WTHD and personhood featured in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, Scopus databases and four key Palliative Care journals was conducted. The review hinged on the following questions: "what is the relationship between dignity and the wish to hasten death (WTHD) in the assisted dying debate?", "how is dignity conceptualised by patients with WTHD?" and "what are prevailing perspectives on the role of assisted dying in maintaining a dying patient's dignity?" RESULTS 6947 abstracts were identified, 663 full text articles reviewed, and 88 articles included. The four domains identified include 1) concepts of dignity through the lens of the Ring Theory of Personhood (RToP) including their various definitions and descriptions; 2) the relationship between dignity, WTHD and assisted dying with loss of dignity and autonomy foregrounded; 3) stakeholder perspectives for and against assisted dying including those of patient, healthcare provider and lawmaker; and 4) other dignity-conserving measures as alternatives to assisted dying. CONCLUSION Concepts of dignity constantly evolve throughout the patient's end of life journey. Understanding when and how these concepts of personhood change and trigger the fear of a loss of dignity or intractable suffering could direct timely, individualised and appropriate person-centred dignity conserving measures. We believe an RToP-based tool could fulfil this role and further study into the design of this tool is planned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Li Ying Quah
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (E.L.Y.Q, K.Z.Y.C, J.K.L., D.W.J.W., C.S.C., Y.X.L., L.K), National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Keith Zi Yuan Chua
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (E.L.Y.Q, K.Z.Y.C, J.K.L., D.W.J.W., C.S.C., Y.X.L., L.K), National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jun Kiat Lua
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (E.L.Y.Q, K.Z.Y.C, J.K.L., D.W.J.W., C.S.C., Y.X.L., L.K), National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Darius Wei Jun Wan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (E.L.Y.Q, K.Z.Y.C, J.K.L., D.W.J.W., C.S.C., Y.X.L., L.K), National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chi Sum Chong
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (E.L.Y.Q, K.Z.Y.C, J.K.L., D.W.J.W., C.S.C., Y.X.L., L.K), National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yun Xue Lim
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (E.L.Y.Q, K.Z.Y.C, J.K.L., D.W.J.W., C.S.C., Y.X.L., L.K), National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lalit Krishna
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (E.L.Y.Q, K.Z.Y.C, J.K.L., D.W.J.W., C.S.C., Y.X.L., L.K), National University of Singapore, Singapore; Division of Cancer Education (L.K), National Cancer Centre Singapore Singapore; Division of Supportive and Palliative Care (L.K), National Cancer Centre Singapore (L.K), Singapore; Palliative Care Institute Liverpool (L.K), Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Health Data Science (L.K), Liverpool; Duke-NUS Medical School (L.K), Singapore; Centre of Biomedical Ethics (L.K), Singapore; PalC (L.K), The Palliative Care Centre for Excellence in Research and Education, Dover Park Hospice, Singapore.
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Mentzelopoulos SD, Couper K, Raffay V, Djakow J, Bossaert L. Evolution of European Resuscitation and End-of-Life Practices from 2015 to 2019: A Survey-Based Comparative Evaluation. J Clin Med 2022; 11:4005. [PMID: 35887769 PMCID: PMC9316602 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11144005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In concordance with the results of large, observational studies, a 2015 European survey suggested variation in resuscitation/end-of-life practices and emergency care organization across 31 countries. The current survey-based study aimed to comparatively assess the evolution of practices from 2015 to 2019, especially in countries with "low" (i.e., average or lower) 2015 questionnaire domain scores. METHODS The 2015 questionnaire with additional consensus-based questions was used. The 2019 questionnaire covered practices/decisions related to end-of-life care (domain A); determinants of access to resuscitation/post-resuscitation care (domain B); diagnosis of death/organ donation (domain C); and emergency care organization (domain D). Responses from 25 countries were analyzed. Positive or negative responses were graded by 1 or 0, respectively. Domain scores were calculated by summation of practice-specific response grades. RESULTS Domain A and B scores for 2015 and 2019 were similar. Domain C score decreased by 1 point [95% confidence interval (CI): 1-3; p = 0.02]. Domain D score increased by 2.6 points (95% CI: 0.2-5.0; p = 0.035); this improvement was driven by countries with "low" 2015 domain D scores. In countries with "low" 2015 domain A scores, domain A score increased by 5.5 points (95% CI: 0.4-10.6; p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS In 2019, improvements in emergency care organization and an increasing frequency of end-of-life practices were observed primarily in countries with previously "low" scores in the corresponding domains of the 2015 questionnaire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyros D. Mentzelopoulos
- First Department of Intensive Care Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Evaggelismos General Hospital, 45-47 Ipsilandou Street, 10675 Athens, Greece
| | - Keith Couper
- UK Critical Care Unit, University Hospitals Birmingham, NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK;
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Violetta Raffay
- School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus;
- Serbian Resuscitation Council, 21102 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jana Djakow
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, NH Hospital, 26801 Hořovice, Czech Republic;
- Department of Paediatric Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
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Kangasniemi H, Setälä P, Olkinuora A, Huhtala H, Tirkkonen J, Kämäräinen A, Virkkunen I, Yli‐Hankala A, Jämsen E, Hoppu S. Limiting treatment in pre-hospital care: A prospective, observational multicentre study. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2020; 64:1194-1201. [PMID: 32521040 DOI: 10.1111/aas.13649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Data are scarce on the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies and limitation of care orders (LCOs) during physician-staffed Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) missions. We investigated LCOs and the quality of information available when physicians made treatment decisions in pre-hospital care. METHODS A prospective, nationwide, multicentre study including all Finnish physician-staffed HEMS bases during a 6-month study period. All HEMS missions where a patient had pre-existing LCOs and/or a new LCO were included. RESULTS There were 335 missions with LCOs, which represented 5.7% of all HEMS missions (n = 5895). There were 181 missions with pre-existing LCOs, and a total of 170 new LCOs were issued. Usually, the pre-existing LCO was a do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation order only (n = 133, 74%). The most frequent new LCO was 'termination of cardiopulmonary resuscitation' only (n = 61, 36%), while 'no intensive care' combined with some other LCO was almost as common (n = 54, 32%). When issuing a new LCO for patients who did not have any preceding LCOs (n = 153), in every other (49%) case the physicians thought that the patient should have already had an LCO. When the physician made treatment decisions, patients' background information from on-scene paramedics was available in 260 (78%) of the LCO missions, while patients' medical records were available in 67 (20%) of the missions. CONCLUSION Making LCOs or treating patients with pre-existing LCOs is an integral part of HEMS physicians' work, with every twentieth mission involving LCO patients. The new LCOs mostly concerned withholding or withdrawal of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intensive care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Kangasniemi
- Research and Development Unit FinnHEMS LtdWTC Helsinki Airport Vantaa Finland
- Emergency Medical Services Tampere University Hospital Tampere Finland
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology Tampere University Tampere Finland
| | - Piritta Setälä
- Emergency Medical Services Tampere University Hospital Tampere Finland
| | - Anna Olkinuora
- Research and Development Unit FinnHEMS LtdWTC Helsinki Airport Vantaa Finland
| | - Heini Huhtala
- Faculty of Social Sciences Tampere University Tampere Finland
| | - Joonas Tirkkonen
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine and Department of Emergency, Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine Tampere University Hospital Tampere Finland
- Intensive Care Unit Liverpool Hospital Sydney Australia
| | - Antti Kämäräinen
- Emergency Medical Services Tampere University Hospital Tampere Finland
- Department of Emergency Medicine Department of Anaesthesia Hyvinkää District Hospital Hyvinkää Finland
| | - Ilkka Virkkunen
- Research and Development Unit FinnHEMS LtdWTC Helsinki Airport Vantaa Finland
- Emergency Medical Services Tampere University Hospital Tampere Finland
| | - Arvi Yli‐Hankala
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology Tampere University Tampere Finland
- Department of Anaesthesia Tampere University Hospital Tampere Finland
| | - Esa Jämsen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology Tampere University Tampere Finland
- Centre of Geriatrics Tampere University Hospital Tampere Finland
| | - Sanna Hoppu
- Emergency Medical Services Tampere University Hospital Tampere Finland
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Stuart RB, Thielke S. Conditional Permission to Not Resuscitate: A Middle Ground for Resuscitation. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2019; 20:679-682. [PMID: 30826272 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Every decision to perform or withhold cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has ethical implications that are not always well understood. Value-based decisions with far-reaching consequences are made rapidly, based on incomplete or possibly inaccurate information. For some patients, skilled, timely CPR can restore spontaneous circulation, but for others, success may either be unobtainable or bring serious iatrogenic consequences. Because CPR is an aggressive process yielding mixed results, patients must be informed about the likelihood of its positive and adverse outcomes. In considering whether to accept or refuse it, patients should also be given a realistic set of alternatives. Current protocols limit patients' options by restricting them to a choice between accepting or refusing CPR. Adding a "middle" code, DNAR-X (Do Not Attempt Resuscitation-Except), significantly expands patients' right to control what happens to their bodies by allowing them to stipulate CPR in some circumstances but not in others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B Stuart
- Swedish Edmonds Hospital, Samish Island Volunteer Fire Department, Bow, WA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
| | - Stephen Thielke
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Puget Sound VA Medical Center, Seattle, WA
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Mentzelopoulos SD, Slowther AM. Decisions on withholding of "non-beneficial" intensive care: Can they actually Be unbiased? TRENDS IN ANAESTHESIA AND CRITICAL CARE 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tacc.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Mentzelopoulos SD, Slowther AM, Fritz Z, Sandroni C, Xanthos T, Callaway C, Perkins GD, Newgard C, Ischaki E, Greif R, Kompanje E, Bossaert L. Ethical challenges in resuscitation. Intensive Care Med 2018; 44:703-716. [PMID: 29748717 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-018-5202-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE A rapidly evolving resuscitation science provides more effective treatments to an aging population with multiple comorbidites. Concurrently, emergency care has become patient-centered. This review aims to describe challenges associated with the application of key principles of bioethics in resuscitation and post-resuscitation care; propose actions to address these challenges; and highlight the need for evidence-based ethics and consensus on ethical principles interpretation. METHODS Following agreement on the article's outline, subgroups of 2-3 authors provided narrative reviews of ethical issues concerning autonomy and honesty, beneficence/nonmaleficence and dignity, justice, specific practices/circumstances such as family presence during resuscitation, and emergency research. Proposals for addressing ethical challenges were also offered. RESULTS Respect for patient autonomy can be realized through honest provision of information, shared decision-making, and advance directives/care planning. Essential prerequisites comprise public and specific healthcare professionals' education, appropriate regulatory provisions, and allocation of adequate resources. Regarding beneficence/nonmaleficence, resuscitation should benefit patients, while avoiding harm from futile interventions; pertinent practice should be based on neurological prognostication and patient/family-reported outcomes. Regarding dignity, aggressive life-sustaining treatments against patients preferences should be avoided. Contrary to the principle of justice, resuscitation quality may be affected by race/income status, age, ethnicity, comorbidity, and location (urban versus rural or country-specific/region-specific). Current evidence supports family presence during resuscitation. Regarding emergency research, autonomy should be respected without hindering scientific progress; furthermore, transparency of research conduct should be promoted and funding increased. CONCLUSIONS Major ethical challenges in resuscitation science need to be addressed through complex/resource-demanding interventions. Such actions require support by ongoing/future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyros D Mentzelopoulos
- First Department of Intensive Care Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Evaggelismos General Hospital, 45-47 Ipsilandou Street, 10675, Athens, Greece.
| | - Anne-Marie Slowther
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, Gibbet Hill Campus, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Zoe Fritz
- Acute Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Claudio Sandroni
- Istituto Anestesiologia e Rianimazione, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Fondazione Policlinico, Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Theodoros Xanthos
- European University, Engomi, Cyprus.,President Hellenic Society of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Gavin D Perkins
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, Gibbet Hill Campus, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Craig Newgard
- Department of Emergency Medicine Oregon Health and Science University Portland, Center for Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Eleni Ischaki
- First Department of Intensive Care Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Evaggelismos General Hospital, 45-47 Ipsilandou Street, 10675, Athens, Greece
| | - Robert Greif
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Therapy, University of Bern, Bern University Hospital, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Erwin Kompanje
- Department of Intensive Care, Department of Ethics and Philosophy of Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leo Bossaert
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,European Resuscitation Council, Niel, Belgium
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