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Jennerich AL. An Approach to Caring for Patients and Family of Patients Dying in the ICU. Chest 2024; 166:127-135. [PMID: 38354905 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2024.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
TOPIC IMPORTANCE Death is common in the ICU and often occurs after a decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining therapies. Care of the dying is a core skill for ICU clinicians, requiring expert communication, primarily with family of critically ill patients. REVIEW FINDINGS Limited high-quality evidence supports specific practices related to the care of dying patients in the ICU; thus, many of the recommendations that exist are based on expert opinion. Value exists in sharing a practical approach to caring for patients during the dying process, including topics to be addressed with family members, rationales for recommended care, and strategies for implementing comfort measures only. Through dedicated preparation and planning, clinicians can help family members navigate this intense experience. SUMMARY After a decision had been made to discontinue life-sustaining therapies, family members need to be given a clear description of comfort measures only and provided with additional detail about what it entails, including therapies or interventions to be discontinued, monitoring during the dying process, and common features of the dying process. Order sets can be a valuable resource for ensuring that adequate analgesia and sedation are available and the care plan is enacted properly. To achieve a good death for patients, a collaborative effort among members of the care team is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann L Jennerich
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, and the Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
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Tong HH, Creutzfeldt CJ, Hicks KG, Kross EK, Sharma RK, Jennerich AL. Questions From Family Members During the Dying Process And Moral Distress Experienced by ICU Nurses. J Pain Symptom Manage 2024; 67:402-410.e1. [PMID: 38342474 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For a hospitalized patient, transitioning to comfort measures only (CMO) involves discontinuation of life-prolonging interventions with a goal of allowing natural death. Nurses play a pivotal role during the provision of CMO, caring for both the dying patient and their family. OBJECTIVE To examine the experiences of ICU nurses caring for patients receiving CMO. METHODS Between October 2020 and June 2021, nurses in the neuro- and medical-cardiac intensive care units at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA, completed surveys about their experiences providing CMO. Surveys addressed involvement in discussions about CMO and questions asked by family members of dying patients. We also assessed nurses' moral distress related to CMO and used ordinal logistic regression to examine predictors of moral distress. RESULTS Surveys were completed by 82 nurses (response rate 44%), with 79 (96%) reporting experience providing CMO in the previous year. Most preferred to be present for discussions between physicians or advanced practice providers and family members about transitioning to CMO (89% most of the time or always); however, only 31% were present most of the time or always. Questions from family about time to death, changes in breathing, and medications to relieve symptoms were common. Most nurses reported moral distress at least some of the time when providing CMO (62%). Feeling well-prepared to answer specific questions from family was associated with less moral distress. CONCLUSION There is discordance between nurses' preferences for inclusion in discussions about the transition to CMO and their actual presence. Moral distress is common for nurses when providing CMO and feeling prepared to answer questions from family members may attenuate distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao H Tong
- University of Pennsylvania, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care (H.H.T.), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Claire J Creutzfeldt
- Harborview Medical Center, Department of Neurology (C.J.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington (C.J.C., E.K.K., R.K.S., A.L.J.), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Katherine G Hicks
- Baylor College of Medicine, Section of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine (K.G.H.), Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Erin K Kross
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington (C.J.C., E.K.K., R.K.S., A.L.J.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Harborview Medical Center, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington (E.K.K., A.L.J.), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Rashmi K Sharma
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington (C.J.C., E.K.K., R.K.S., A.L.J.), Seattle, Washington, USA; University of Washington, Division of General Internal Medicine (R.K.S.), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ann L Jennerich
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington (C.J.C., E.K.K., R.K.S., A.L.J.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Harborview Medical Center, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington (E.K.K., A.L.J.), Seattle, Washington, USA.
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Mazzu MA, Campbell ML, Schwartzstein RM, White DB, Mitchell SL, Fehnel CR. Evidence Guiding Withdrawal of Mechanical Ventilation at the End of Life: A Review. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 66:e399-e426. [PMID: 37244527 PMCID: PMC10527530 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Distress at the end of life in the intensive care unit (ICU) is common. We reviewed the evidence guiding symptom assessment, withdrawal of mechanical ventilation (WMV) process, support for the ICU team, and symptom management among adults, and specifically older adults, at end of life in the ICU. SETTING AND DESIGN Systematic search of published literature (January 1990-December 2021) pertaining to WMV at end of life among adults in the ICU setting using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. PARTICIPANTS Adults (age 18 and over) undergoing WMV in the ICU. MEASUREMENTS Study quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. RESULTS Out of 574 articles screened, 130 underwent full text review, and 74 were reviewed and assessed for quality. The highest quality studies pertained to use of validated symptom scales during WMV. Studies of the WMV process itself were generally lower quality. Support for the ICU team best occurs via structured communication and social supports. Dyspnea is the most distressing symptom, and while high quality evidence supports the use of opiates, there is limited evidence to guide implementation of their use for specific patients. CONCLUSION High quality studies support some practices in palliative WMV, while gaps in evidence remain for the WMV process, supporting the ICU team, and medical management of distress. Future studies should rigorously compare WMV processes and symptom management to reduce distress at end of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Mazzu
- University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (M.A.M.), Biddeford, Maine, USA
| | | | - Richard M Schwartzstein
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.M.S., S.L.M., C.R.F.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School (R.M.S., S.L.M., C.R.F.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Douglas B White
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (D.B.W.), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Susan L Mitchell
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.M.S., S.L.M., C.R.F.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School (R.M.S., S.L.M., C.R.F.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Hebrew SeniorLife, Marcus Institute for Aging Research (S.L.M., C.R.F.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Corey R Fehnel
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.M.S., S.L.M., C.R.F.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School (R.M.S., S.L.M., C.R.F.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Hebrew SeniorLife, Marcus Institute for Aging Research (S.L.M., C.R.F.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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Al-Shamaly HS. A focused ethnography of the culture of inclusive caring practice in the intensive care unit. Nurs Open 2021; 8:2973-2985. [PMID: 34318598 PMCID: PMC8510735 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.1009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim To explore and understand the culture of nurses' multidimensional “caring‐for” practice in intensive care unit (ICU). Design A focused ethnography. Methods Data were collected from 35 Registered Nurses through participant observations, field notes, documentation reviews, interviews, informal conversations and Participants' additional information forms over 6 months in one ICU. Thematic data analysis was used. Findings Different dimensions of nursing caring in ICU were found. The inclusivity of a culture of nurses' “caring‐for” involved the following: oneself, patients and their families, different colleagues, and caring as ecological consciousness in the ICU environment and organization.
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Jensen HI, Halvorsen K, Jerpseth H, Fridh I, Lind R. Practice Recommendations for End-of-Life Care in the Intensive Care Unit. Crit Care Nurse 2021; 40:14-22. [PMID: 32476029 DOI: 10.4037/ccn2020834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
TOPIC A substantial number of patients die in the intensive care unit, so high-quality end-of-life care is an important part of intensive care unit work. However, end-of-life care varies because of lack of knowledge of best practices. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Research shows that high-quality end-of-life care is possible in an intensive care unit. This article encourages nurses to be imaginative and take an individual approach to provide the best possible end-of-life care for patients and their family members. PURPOSE OF PAPER To provide recommendations for high-quality end-of-life care for patients and family members. CONTENT COVERED This article touches on the following domains: end-of-life decision-making, place to die, patient comfort, family presence in the intensive care unit, visiting children, family needs, preparing the family, staff presence, when the patient dies, after-death care of the family, and caring for staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Irene Jensen
- Hanne Irene Jensen is an associate professor at the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Vejle and Middelfart Hospitals, Vejle, Denmark, and the University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Kristin Halvorsen
- Kristin Halvorsen is a professor and researcher and Heidi Jerpseth is an associate professor and researcher at Oslo Metropolitan University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Heidi Jerpseth
- Kristin Halvorsen is a professor and researcher and Heidi Jerpseth is an associate professor and researcher at Oslo Metropolitan University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Isabell Fridh
- Isabell Fridh is an associate professor at the Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Sweden
| | - Ranveig Lind
- Ranveig Lind is an associate professor at UiT, the Arctic University of Norway, and a research nurse in the intensive care unit at University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Communication, Comfort, and Closure for the Patient With Cystic Fibrosis at the End of Life. J Hosp Palliat Nurs 2017. [DOI: 10.1097/njh.0000000000000362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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