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A national Position Statement on adult end-of-life care in critical care. Aust Crit Care 2021; 35:480-487. [PMID: 34384650 DOI: 10.1016/j.aucc.2021.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Patient death in critical care is not uncommon. Rather, the provision of end-of-life care is a core feature of critical care nursing, yet not all nurses feel adequately prepared for their role in the provision of end-of-life care. For this reason, the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN) supported the development of a Position Statement to provide nurses with clear practice recommendations to guide the provision of end-of-life care, which reflect the most relevant evidence and information associated with end-of-life care for adult patients in Australian critical care settings. A systematic literature search was conducted between June and July, 2020 in CINAHL Complete, Medline, and EMBASE databases to locate research evidence related to key elements of end-of-life care in critical care. Preference was given to the most recent Australian or Australasian research evidence, where available. Once the practice recommendations were drafted in accordance with the research evidence, a clinical expert review panel was established. The panel comprised clinically active ACCCN members with at least 12 months of clinical experience. The clinical expert review panel participated in an eDelphi process to provide face validity for practice recommendations and a subsequent online meeting to suggest additional refinements and ensure the final practice recommendations were meaningful and practical for critical care nursing practice in Australia. ACCCN Board members also provided independent review of the Position Statement. This Position Statement is intended to provide practical guidance to critical care nurses in the provision of adult end-of-life care in Australian critical care settings.
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Wiegand DL, Cheon J, Netzer G. Seeing the Patient and Family Through: Nurses and Physicians Experiences With Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Therapy in the ICU. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2018; 36:13-23. [DOI: 10.1177/1049909118801011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy at the end of life is a complex phenomenon. Intensive care nurses and physicians are faced with caring for patients and supporting families, as these difficult decisions are made. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experience of critical care nurses and physicians participating in the process of withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to guide this qualitative investigation. Interviews were conducted with critical care nurses and physicians from 2 medical centers. An inductive approach to data analysis was used to understand similarities between the nurses and the physicians’ experiences. Methodological rigor was established, and data saturation was achieved. The main categories that were inductively derived from the data analysis included from novice to expert, ensuring ethical care, uncertainty to certainty, facilitating the process, and preparing and supporting families. The categories aided in understanding the experiences of nurses and physicians, as they worked individually and together to see patients and families through the entire illness experience, withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy decision-making process and dying process. Understanding the perspectives of health-care providers involved in the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy process will help other health-care providers who are striving to provide quality care to the dying and to their families.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jooyoung Cheon
- Department of Nursing Science, College of Nursing, Sungshin Women’s University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Giora Netzer
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Kynoch K, Chang A, Coyer F, McArdle A. The effectiveness of interventions to meet family needs of critically ill patients in an adult intensive care unit: a systematic review update. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 14:181-234. [PMID: 27532144 DOI: 10.11124/jbisrir-2016-2477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attending to the needs of family members of critically ill patients is an important and necessary step in providing appropriate holistic care for both the patient and the family. Family interaction can significantly impact on the experience of critical illness, notwithstanding the challenge of meeting families' needs for many clinicians in the intensive care unit (ICU). Family needs have been extensively researched; however, a previous Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) systematic review was the first published systematic review recommending effective interventions for addressing family needs of critically ill patients in an acute intensive care setting. Since its publication in 2011, additional research findings have been published and it was deemed appropriate to update the original systematic review. OBJECTIVES This systematic review aims to establish recent best practice in addressing the needs of family members with a relative or loved one admitted to an adult critical care unit. INCLUSION CRITERIA TYPES OF PARTICIPANTS Studies that included family members (including children) of adult patients in an ICU were considered for inclusion in this review. Patients with any clinical condition, length of stay or outcome were included. TYPES OF INTERVENTION(S) This review considered interventions that addressed the five previously identified categories of family needs: support - support groups, training in coping strategies and journal or diary writing; assurance - face-to-face meetings and participation in ward rounds; proximity - changes to visitation policies; information - staff and/or family education, handouts and brochures and the use of technology (e.g. SMS messages); and comfort - changes to the ICU physical environment. TYPES OF STUDIES This review considered any randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effectiveness of interventions in addressing family needs of critically ill patients in an adult ICU. In the absence of RCTs, other research designs such as quasi-experimental, as well as pre- and post-studies were considered for inclusion in the narrative summary to enable the identification of current approaches and possible future strategies for addressing family needs of critically ill patients. TYPES OF OUTCOMES This review considered studies that evaluated outcomes with a validated tool that measured information comprehension, coping mechanisms, anxiety, depression, stress and satisfaction. SEARCH STRATEGY An extensive search of the major databases was conducted. Databases searched included PubMed, CINAHL, psycINFO, Health source, Web of Science, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects. The original search of this review included published and unpublished studies and articles in English from 1980 to 2010. The updated search identified articles for inclusion from 2010 to 2014. METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY Quantitative articles selected for retrieval were assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological validity prior to inclusion in the review. Any disagreements that arose between the reviewers were resolved through discussion, or with a third reviewer. DATA EXTRACTION Data was extracted from the articles included in this review using standardized data extraction tools from the JBI Meta Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument package. DATA SYNTHESIS The studies included in this review were not suitable for meta-analysis and therefore the results are presented as a narrative summary. RESULTS Originally, 14 studies and one dissertation met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Of these, 12 were quasi-experimental studies and three were prospective randomized trials. In this current update, 14 new articles were identified for inclusion - one RCT, 10 quasi-experimental studies and three observational studies. The settings were in ICUs in Sweden, USA, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and Iran. The evidence identified from all studies in the review includes the use of support groups for family members of patients admitted to an ICU, structured communication and/or education programs for family members, the use of leaflets or brochures to meet family information needs, use of a diary, changes in the physical environment and open or more flexible visiting hours. CONCLUSIONS This current update of the original review makes several reiterative and new recommendations for clinical practice to address family needs of patients admitted to a critical care unit; however, the need for significant further research in this area is again highlighted. Future intervention studies focusing on family needs could include the use of technology such as DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs) and SMS (Short Message Service) for informing families and interventions specifically designed to improve family comfort. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Communication interventions help promote family involvement in their loved one's care and facilitate their decision-making capacity, as well as improving clinician and family interaction, family comprehension of their loved one's condition and also reduce the development of post-traumatic stress-related symptoms (Grade A). Family satisfaction may be increased with the provision of comfortable physical environments with noise reduction measures (Grade B). IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH More rigorous high-quality studies investigating interventions to meet the needs of family with a relative in ICU are needed. The majority of included studies in this updated review focused on family satisfaction wherein more robust data on family needs would better inform health professionals in their practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Kynoch
- 1Nursing Research Center and the Queensland Center for Evidence-based Nursing and Midwifery, Mater Health Services, Queensland, Australia 2Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia 3Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Queensland, Australia
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Ranse K, Bloomer M, Coombs M, Endacott R. Family centred care before and during life-sustaining treatment withdrawal in intensive care: A survey of information provided to families by Australasian critical care nurses. Aust Crit Care 2016; 29:210-216. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aucc.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Coombs MA, Parker R, Ranse K, Endacott R, Bloomer MJ. An integrative review of how families are prepared for, and supported during withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in intensive care. J Adv Nurs 2016; 73:39-55. [DOI: 10.1111/jan.13097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maureen A. Coombs
- Graduate School of Nursing Midwifery and Health; Victoria University of Wellington; New Zealand
| | - Roses Parker
- Graduate School of Nursing Midwifery and Health; Victoria University of Wellington; New Zealand
| | - Kristen Ranse
- Faculty of Health; University of Canberra; Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Ruth Endacott
- Plymouth University; UK
- School of Nursing and Midwifery; Monash University; Clayton Victoria Australia
| | - Melissa J. Bloomer
- School of Nursing and Midwifery; Monash University; Clayton Victoria Australia
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Noome M, Beneken genaamd Kolmer DM, van Leeuwen E, Dijkstra BM, Vloet LCM. The nursing role during end-of-life care in the intensive care unit related to the interaction between patient, family and professional: an integrative review. Scand J Caring Sci 2016; 30:645-661. [DOI: 10.1111/scs.12315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marijke Noome
- Bachelor of Nursing; The Hague University of Applied Sciences; The Hague The Netherlands
- Research Department of Emergency and Critical Care; HAN University of Applied Sciences; Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Research Department Informal Care; The Hague University of Applied Sciences; The Hague The Netherlands
| | - Deirdre M. Beneken genaamd Kolmer
- Research Department Informal Care; The Hague University of Applied Sciences; The Hague The Netherlands
- Tranzo; School of Social and Behavioral Sciences; Tilburg University; Tilburg The Netherlands
| | - Evert van Leeuwen
- Section Ethics, Philosophy and the History of Medicine; Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare; Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen; Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Boukje M. Dijkstra
- Research Department of Emergency and Critical Care; HAN University of Applied Sciences; Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Intensive Care Unit; Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen; Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Lilian C. M. Vloet
- Research Department of Emergency and Critical Care; HAN University of Applied Sciences; Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare; Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen; Nijmegen The Netherlands
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Coombs M, Tang J, Long-Sutehall T. Vigilant attentiveness in families observing deterioration in the dying intensive care patient: A secondary analysis study. Intensive Crit Care Nurs 2016; 33:65-71. [PMID: 26875444 DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2015.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family support in intensive care is often focussed on what information is communicated to families. This is particularly important during treatment withdrawal and end of life care. However, this positions families as passive receivers of information. Less is known about what bereaved family members actually observe at end of life and how this is interpreted. AIM Secondary analysis study was conducted in order to explore the concept of vigilant attentiveness in family members of adult patients dying in intensive care. METHOD Secondary analysis of eight interviews sorted from two primary data sets containing 19 interviews with 25 bereaved family members from two intensive care units in England was undertaken. Directed content analysis techniques were adopted. FINDINGS Families are observant for physiological deterioration by watching for changes in cardiac monitors as well as paying attention to how their relative looks and sounds. Changes in treatment/interventions were also perceived to indicate deterioration. CONCLUSION Families are vigilant and attentive to deterioration, implying that families are active participants in information gathering. By clarifying what families notice, or do not notice during the dying trajectory in ICU, health care professionals can tailor information, helping to prepare families for the death of their relative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Coombs
- Graduate School of Nursing Midwifery and Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand; Capital and Coast District Health Board, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Juliana Tang
- Intensive Care Unit, Wellington Regional Hospital, Capital and Coast District Health Board, Wellington, New Zealand
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Pérez Pérez FM. [The suitability of therapeutic effort: An end-of-life strategy]. Semergen 2016; 42:566-574. [PMID: 26811015 DOI: 10.1016/j.semerg.2015.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
End-of-life treatment and attention to the needs of relatives are not adequate for several reasons: Society denies or hides the death; it is very difficult to predict it accurately; treatment is frequently fragmented between different specialists, and there is insufficient palliative medicine training, including communication skills. There are frequent conflicts with decisions made at the end of life, particularly the suitability of therapeutic effort. The attitude of professionals on the adequacy of therapeutic effort is not homogenous, and varies depending on the specialty, experience, and beliefs. Many doctors are still afraid of inconveniencing patients. Primary care is in a privileged position to approach the life and values of our patients and their families, and not just the disease, which makes it the right place to guide and advise the patient on the preparation and registration of living wills.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Pérez Pérez
- Servicio Provincial de Cádiz de Emergencias Sanitarias 061 Andalucía, Hospital Clínico de Puerto Real, Puerto Real, Cádiz, España.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Increased use of advanced life-sustaining measures in patients with poor long-term expectations secondary to more chronic organ dysfunctions, comorbidities and/or a poor quality of life has become a worrying trend over the last decade. This can lead to futile, disproportionate or inappropriate care in the ICU. This review summarizes the causes and consequences of disproportionate care in the ICU. RECENT FINDINGS Disproportionate care seems to be common in European and North American ICUs. The initiation and prolongation of disproportionate care can be related to hospital facilities, healthcare providers, the patient and his/her representatives and society. This can have serious consequences for patients, their relatives, physicians, nurses and society. SUMMARY Disproportionate care is common in western ICUs. It can lead to violation of basic bioethical principles, suffering of patients and relatives and compassion fatigue and moral distress in healthcare providers. Avoiding inappropriate use of ICU resources and disproportionate care in the ICU should have high priority for ICU managers but also for every healthcare provider taking care of patients at the bedside.
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Attia AK, Abd-Elaziz WW, Kandeel NA. Critical Care Nurses’ Perception of Barriers and Supportive Behaviors in End-of-Life Care. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2012; 30:297-304. [DOI: 10.1177/1049909112450067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To investigate critical care nurses' perceptions of barriers and supportive behaviors in providing end of life (EOL) care to dying patients and their families. Methods: The study involved a convenient sample of 70 nurses who were involved in caring for critically ill patients. Data were collected using a structured interview sheet. Results: Barriers to providing EOL care were related to intensive care environment, family members, nurses' knowledge and skills, physicians' attitudes and treatment policy. Possible help to providing EOL care involved nurses' support to each other, patient and family-centered care, and families' support. Conclusions: There is a need to allow the family unlimited access to the dying patient, involve them in patient care and provide them with a private place for grieving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal Kadry Attia
- Faculty of Nursing, Critical Care and Emergency Nursing, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
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11
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE There are numerous challenges to successfully integrating palliative care in the intensive care unit. Our primary goal was to describe and compare the quality of palliative care delivered in an intensive care unit as rated by physicians and nurses working in that intensive care unit. DESIGN Multisite study using self-report questionnaires. SETTING Thirteen hospitals throughout the United States. PARTICIPANTS Convenience sample of 188 physicians working in critical care (attending physicians, critical care fellows, resident physicians) and 289 critical care nurses. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Clinicians provided overall ratings of the care delivered by either nurses or physicians in their intensive care unit for each of seven domains of intensive care unit palliative care using a 0-10 scale (0 indicating the worst possible and 10 indicating the best possible care). Analyses included descriptive statistics to characterize measurement characteristics of the ten items, paired Wilcoxon tests comparing item ratings for the domain of symptom management with all other item ratings, and regression analyses assessing differences in ratings within and between clinical disciplines. We used p < .001 to denote statistical significance to address multiple comparisons. The ten items demonstrated good content validity with few missing responses or ceiling or floor effects. Items receiving the lowest ratings assessed spiritual support for families, emotional support for intensive care unit clinicians, and palliative-care education for intensive care unit clinicians. All but two items were rated significantly lower than the item assessing symptom management (p < .001). Nurses rated nursing care significantly higher (p < .001) than physicians rated physician care in five domains. In addition, although nurses and physicians gave comparable ratings to palliative care delivered by nurses, nurses' and physicians' ratings of physician care were significantly different with nurse ratings of this care lower than physician ratings on all but one domain. CONCLUSION Our study supports the content validity of the ten overall rating items and supports the need for improvement in several aspects of palliative care, including spiritual support for families, emotional support for clinicians, and clinician education about palliative care in the intensive care unit. Furthermore, our findings provide some preliminary support for surveying intensive care unit clinicians as one way to assess the quality of palliative care in the intensive care unit.
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Kynoch K, Chang AM, Coyer F. The effectiveness of interventions to meet family needs of critically ill patients in an adult intensive care unit: a systematic review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 9:2829-2874. [PMID: 27820310 DOI: 10.11124/01938924-201109630-00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background Attending to the needs of family members of critically ill patients is an important and necessary step in providing appropriate care for both the patient and the family. An initial search of the Cochrane and Joanna Briggs Institute Libraries did not reveal any published systematic reviews recommending effective interventions for addressing family needs of critically ill patients in an acute intensive care unit.Objectives This systematic review aims to establish best practice in addressing the needs of family members with a relative admitted to an adult critical care unit.Search strategy An extensive search of the major databases was conducted. Databases searched included: MEDLINE, CINAHL, psycINFO, Health source, Web of science, EMBASE, the Cochrane library and Database of abstracts of reviews of effects (DARE) as well as Pubmed. The search included published and unpublished studies and papers in English from 1980-2010.Selection criteria This review considered any randomised controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of interventions in addressing family needs of critically ill patients in an adult intensive care unit. In the absence of randomised controlled trials, other research designs such as quasi-experimental as well as before and after studies were considered for inclusion in the narrative summary to enable the identification of current approaches and possible future strategies for addressing family needs of critically ill patients.Assessment of quality Each included study was assessed by two independent reviewers using the appropriate appraisal checklist developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute.Data collection and analysis Data was extracted from the papers included in this review using standardised data extraction tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument package. The studies included in this review were not suitable for meta-analysis and therefore the results are presented in narrative form.Results Fourteen studies and one dissertation met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. There were 12 quasi-experimental studies identified including 8 two or three group, pre-test/post-test studies; 1 one-way between subjects design; 1 interrupted time series and 1 two-group comparative design study. The dissertation was a quasi-experimental three group pre-test/post-test design. There were 3 prospective randomised trials included. The evidence identified includes: the use of support groups for family members of patients admitted to an intensive care unit, structured communication and/or education programs for family members, the use of leaflets or brochures to meet family information needs and open or more flexible visiting hours.Conclusion/Recommendations This review makes several recommendations for clinical practice to address family needs of patients admitted to a critical care unit, however this review highlights the need for significant further research in this area. Future intervention studies focusing on family needs could include: the use of technology such as DVD's and SMS for informing families and interventions specifically designed to improve family comfort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Kynoch
- 1. Nursing Research Centre/Queensland Centre for Evidence Based Nursing, Mater Health Services, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia: a collaborating centre of the Joanna Briggs Institute 2. School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove Campus, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Kynoch K, Chang AM, Coyer F. The effectiveness of interventions to meet family needs of critically ill patients in an adult intensive care unit: a systematic review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.11124/jbisrir-2011-74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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Cooke CR, Hotchkin DL, Engelberg RA, Rubinson L, Curtis JR. Predictors of time to death after terminal withdrawal of mechanical ventilation in the ICU. Chest 2010; 138:289-97. [PMID: 20363840 DOI: 10.1378/chest.10-0289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little information exists about the expected time to death after terminal withdrawal of mechanical ventilation. We sought to determine the independent predictors of time to death after withdrawal of mechanical ventilation. METHODS We conducted a secondary analysis from a cluster randomized trial of an end-of-life care intervention. We studied 1,505 adult patients in 14 hospitals in Washington State who died within or shortly after discharge from an ICU following terminal withdrawal of mechanical ventilation (August 2003 to February 2008). Time to death and its predictors were abstracted from the patients' charts and death certificates. Predictors included demographics, proxies of severity of illness, life-sustaining therapies, and International Classification of Diseases, 9th ed., Clinical Modification codes. RESULTS The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of the cohort was 71 years (58-80 years), and 44% were women. The median (IQR) time to death after withdrawal of ventilation was 0.93 hours (0.25-5.5 hours). Using Cox regression, the independent predictors of a shorter time to death were nonwhite race (hazard ratio [HR], 1.17; 95% CI, 1.01-1.35), number of organ failures (per-organ HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04-1.19), vasopressors (HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.49-1.88), IV fluids (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01-1.32), and surgical vs medical service (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.06-1.56). Predictors of longer time to death were older age (per-decade HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.90-0.99) and female sex (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77-0.97). CONCLUSIONS Time to death after withdrawal of mechanical ventilation varies widely, yet the majority of patients die within 24 hours. Subsequent validation of these predictors may help to inform family counseling at the end of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin R Cooke
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, 6 Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5604, USA.
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Kompanje EJO, van der Hoven B, Bakker J. Anticipation of distress after discontinuation of mechanical ventilation in the ICU at the end of life. Intensive Care Med 2008; 34:1593-9. [PMID: 18516588 PMCID: PMC2517089 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-008-1172-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2007] [Accepted: 02/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A considerable number of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) die following withdrawal of mechanical ventilation. After discontinuation of ventilation without proper preparation, excessive respiratory secretion is common, resulting in a 'death rattle'. Post-extubation stridor can give rise to the relatives' perception that the patient is choking and suffering. Existing protocols lack adequate anticipatory preparation to respond to all distressing symptoms. METHODS We analyzed existing treatment strategies in distressing symptoms after discontinuation of mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSION The actual period of discontinuation of mechanical ventilation can be very short, but thoughtful anticipation of distressing symptoms takes time. There is an ethical responsibility to anticipate and treat (iatrogenic) symptoms such as pain, dyspnea-associated respiratory distress, anxiety, delirium, post-extubation stridor, and excessive broncho-pulmonary secretions. This makes withdrawal of mechanical ventilation in ICU patients a thoughtful process, taking palliative actions instead of fast terminal actions. We developed a flowchart covering all possible distressing symptoms that can occur after withdrawal of mechanical ventilation and extubation. We recommend a two-phase process. Six hours before extubation, enteral feeding should be stopped and parenteral fluids reduced, overhydrated patients should be dehydrated with furosemide, administration of sedatives (for distress) and opioids (for pain and/or dyspnea) should be continued or started and methylprednisolone should be given in anticipation of stridor after extubation. Thirty minutes before extubation, Butylscopolamine should be given and methylprednisolone repeated. After this the patient should be extubated to secure a dying process as natural as possible with the lowest burden due to distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J O Kompanje
- Department of Intensive Care, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Wingate S, Wiegand DLM. End-of-Life Care in the Critical Care Unit for Patients With Heart Failure. Crit Care Nurse 2008. [DOI: 10.4037/ccn2008.28.2.84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sue Wingate
- Sue Wingate is a cardiology nurse practitioner at Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Debra Lynn-McHale Wiegand
- Debra Lynn-McHale Wiegand is an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland and is a staff nurse in the surgical cardiac care unit at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Kirchhoff KT, Palzkill J, Kowalkowski J, Mork A, Gretarsdottir E. Preparing Families of Intensive Care Patients for Withdrawal of Life Support: A Pilot Study. Am J Crit Care 2008. [DOI: 10.4037/ajcc2008.17.2.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Background Most deaths in intensive care occur after withdrawal of life support. Although preparation of patients’ families is recommended, the specific information required has not been theoretically developed or tested.
Objective To assess the feasibility of testing 4 tailored messages to prepare families of patients having a planned withdrawal of life support, to assess barriers to conducting such a study, and to obtain preliminary data on measurable effects that could be used to compare such preparation with usual care. Self-regulation theory was used to structure the messages.
Methods Families were randomly assigned to usual care (n=10) or to an intervention group (n=10) that received 1 of 4 tailored messages to prepare them for withdrawal of life support. They were contacted 2 to 4 weeks later to complete the Profile of Mood States and to give their evaluation of the experience, inclusive of the information received.
Results Compared with the usual-care group, the intervention group was significantly more satisfied with the information they received and understood better what was to happen. The intervention group had lower negative mood scores and higher positive mood scores than did the usual-care group, although the difference was not significant. Unsolicited comments by the usual-care participants were requests for the specific information that had been received by the intervention group.
Conclusions The information provided was considered helpful. A larger sample might yield more significant differences. Further work is needed on other aspects of preparation such as healthcare support, spiritual issues, and preparation for funeral arrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin T. Kirchhoff
- Karin T. Kirchhoff is a professor and Rodefer Chair in the School of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Jenna Palzkill
- Jenna Palzkill is a staff nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jennifer Kowalkowski
- Jennifer Kowalkowski is a master’s student in the School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Anne Mork
- Anne Mork is the patient care coordinator in the trauma life support unit at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison
| | - Elfa Gretarsdottir
- Elfa Gretarsdottir is now in Boston, Massachusetts, and was a master’s student in the School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin, Madison, during the study
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19
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Abstract
Much of the literature for end of life in the intensive care unit focuses on patients and their treatment. Families are usually present and should be a focus, as well as a resource, in end-of-life plans. Using categories from a recently published Society of Critical Care Medicine guideline on family support during an intensive care unit stay and 7 end-of-life domains, literature retrieved since 2000 was summarized. Topics addressed are decision making, spiritual and cultural support, emotional and practical support of families, including visitation and family preparation for death, and continuity of care.
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Abstract
Deaths occur frequently in the intensive care unit, yet clinicians in this unique practice environment are often untrained in the care of patients who are dying. Palliative care consultation in the intensive care unit may bridge the gaps between what should be done for dying patients and their families and what is often the default, that is, a prolonged death with inadequate symptom management and not enough family support. Hospital-based palliative care consult services have demonstrated positive patient-assessed and system outcomes, including symptom management, family support, reductions in hospital length of stay, increases in discharge home with hospice referrals, and reduced costs of care. Similar outcomes have been reported about intensive care unit-focused palliative care consultation. Palliative care consultants who seek referrals from the intensive care unit will be successful if strategies such as getting acquainted, learning about the environment and patterns of care, seeking feedback, and respecting the intensive care unit's life-saving efforts are employed. Intensive care staff satisfaction with palliative care consultation will drive future referrals.
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Wiegand DLM. Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Therapy After Sudden, Unexpected Life-Threatening Illness or Injury: Interactions Between Patients’ Families, Healthcare Providers, and the Healthcare System. Am J Crit Care 2006. [DOI: 10.4037/ajcc2006.15.2.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
• Background Withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy in intensive care units is increasing. Patients’ families are intimately involved in this process because the patients are usually unable to participate. Little is known about family members’ interactions with healthcare providers and the healthcare system during this process.• Objective To describe the interactions between patients’ family members, healthcare providers, and the healthcare system during withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy after a sudden, unexpected illness or injury.• Methods The investigation was part of a larger interpretative phenomenological study. Nineteen families (56 family members) who participated in the process of withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy for a family member were interviewed and observed. An inductive approach to data analysis was used to discover units of meaning, clusters, and categories.• Results The families’ experiences involved a variety of dimensions, including issues with healthcare providers (bonds and consistency with nurses and physicians, physicians’ presence, information, coordination of care, family meetings, sensitivity to time, and preparation for the dying process) and issues with the healthcare system (parking, struggles with finding privacy, and transfers of patients).• Conclusions Patients’ families need information, guidance, and support as the families participate in the process of withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy. The results of this study have important implications for clinical practice and future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debra Lynn-McHale Wiegand
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa, and Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Conn (now at School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Md)
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Curtis JR. Interventions to Improve Care during Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatments. J Palliat Med 2005; 8 Suppl 1:S116-31. [PMID: 16499459 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2005.8.s-116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies is a common occurrence in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting and also occurs in other hospital settings, long-term care facilities, and even at home. Many studies have documented dramatic geographic variations in the prevalence of withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies, and some evidence suggests this variation may be driven more by physician attitudes and biases than by factors such as patient preferences or cultural differences. A number of studies of interventions in the ICU setting have provided some evidence that withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies is a process of care that can be improved. The interventions have included routine ethics or palliative care consultations, routine family conferences, and standardized order protocol for withdrawal of life support. For some of the interventions, for example, ethics consultations or palliative care consultations, the precise mechanisms by which the process of care is improved are not clear. Furthermore, many of these studies have used surrogate outcomes for quality, such as ICU length of stay. Emerging research suggests more direct outcome measures may be useful, including family satisfaction with care and assessments of the quality of dying. Despite these relative limitations, these studies provide convincing evidence that withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy is a process of care that presents opportunities for quality improvement and that interventions are successful at improving this care. Further research is needed to identify and test the most appropriate and responsive outcome measures and to identify the most effective and cost-effective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Randall Curtis
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98104-2499, USA.
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Curtis JR, Shannon SE. Transcending the silos: toward an interdisciplinary approach to end-of-life care in the ICU. Intensive Care Med 2005; 32:15-7. [PMID: 16292623 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-005-2865-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2005] [Accepted: 10/26/2005] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Abstract
There is much literature regarding going home to die in terminally ill cancer patients however, little is written about withdrawing treatment at home in critical care. One intensive care unit's experience in New Zealand demonstrates how this can be done safely. The preparation of families and patients must be done with great care. There are challenges to be overcome including supportive resources in the community, staffing and safety of the patient and family. It is possible to withdraw/withhold treatment in a patient's home and this is highly valued by the families.
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