Tag: EOL
Dexmedetomidine for EOL Sedation
This study demonstrates a reduction in breakthrough medication requirements, particularly benzodiazepines, for patients sedated with dexmedetomidine at end of life (EOL). The dexmedetomidine cohort required less breakthrough... read more
Family Centered Care At The EOL in the ICU
In the context of end-of-life (EOL) care in the intensive care unit (ICU), recent research has often focussed on patients' families. Studies have shown the importance of communication between ICU clinicians and families,... read more
Variations in End-of-Life Practices in ICUs Worldwide
Limitation of life-sustaining therapies is common worldwide with regional variability. Withholding treatment is more common than withdrawing treatment. Variations in type, frequency, and timing of end-of-life decisions were... read more
Key Topics in Critical Care
High quality critical care medicine is a crucial component of advanced health care. Completely revised and updated, Key Topics in Critical Care, Second Edition provides a broad knowledge base in the major areas of critical... read more
Approaches to EOL Decision-making For Patients Affected by Sepsis and ARDS
A Qualitative Study of Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and Sepsis and Their Surrogates. The purpose of this study was to develop hypotheses of patient and surrogate's rationale for decision-making. Patients... read more
Assessment of Variability in End-of-Life Care Delivery in ICUs in the United States
This study suggests most decedents in the ICU avoid CPR at EOL, have family present at their bedside, and are closely assessed for pain. However, the delivery of EOL care varies widely among units in the United States, including... read more
When Patients Die in the ICU, Should Their Family Be Allowed to Watch?
In most ICUs, it's standard practice to send relatives out of the room when a patient codes, but a growing body of research—and one doctor's personal experience—suggests relatives should be allowed to witness the medical... read more
Palliative Care Nursing: Quality Care to the End of Life
This fourth edition of a comprehensive text/reference that has been valued by students, educators, and practicing nurses for many years, Palliative Care Nursing continues to reflect the fundamental hospice and palliative... read more
Detection, Treatment of Dyspnea Inconsistent in ICU
Although the prevalence of dyspnea was at least as high as that of pain, the detection and treatment of moderate to severe dyspnea were more inconsistent than for pain among critically ill patients in the ICU, according to... read more
Withholding or Withdrawing of Life-sustaining Therapy in Older Adults Admitted to the ICU
The most important patient variables associated with the instigation of Life-sustaining Therapy (LST) limitation were acute admission, frailty, age, admission SOFA score and country. LST limitation was identified in 1356/5021... read more
Meaningful Experiences and End-of-life Care in the ICU
The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive exploration of nurses' meaningful experiences of providing end-of-life care to patients and families in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study utilised an interpretive... read more
Graceful Exit: How to Advocate Effectively, Take Care of Yourself, and Be Present for the Death of a Loved One
When we are thrust into the role of caregiver for a loved one who is in the process of dying, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Yet it's a situation millions of us face every year with virtually no sort of preparation or guidance.... read more
Differences in attitudes towards end-of-life care among intensivists, oncologists and prosecutors in Brazil
There is great variability in end-of-life care and the legal context may interfere with decisions on limitation of medical treatment. In Brazil, end-of-life care was initially regulated in 2006, but legal controversies still... read more
The burdens of survivorship: an approach to thinking about long-term outcomes after critical illness
Internationally accepted approaches to the study of functioning and disability can inform critical care practitioners and scholars in their study of functional limitations, disability, and quality of life after critical illness... read more
When to Withdraw Resuscitation in the ED
When can and should we withdraw from continuing resuscitation in the Emergency Department? We are here to save lives. I would argue the Emergency Medicine is a very pure expression of a Doctor's role: we meet a patient, we... read more
Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life
In our current medical culture, the old and the ill are put on what she terms the End-of-Life Conveyor belt. They are intubated, catheterized, and even shelved away in care facilities to suffer their final days alone, confused,... read more
Should doctors be required to inform patients of their palliative care rights?
I overheard a colleague admit an 84-year-old woman to the hospital from the emergency department for a sizable mass in her uterus — no doubt, cancerous. I pictured a frail woman who’d been suffering for a while and was... read more
