Ethics consultations reduce time and procedures in intensive care - 24/08/11
Abstract |
Question |
What effect do ethics consultations have on number of life-sustaining treatments and length of stay in intensive care units?
Study Design |
Randomised controlled trial.
Main Results |
There were no differences in mortality between groups. In people who died in hospital, ethics consultation significantly reduced the number of days spent in intensive care and hospital (−1.44 days in intensive care, p=0.03; −2.95 days in hospital, p=0.01; −1.7 days on ventilation, p=0.03). Among people surviving to discharge, there were no significant differences in clinical outcomes between groups (p>0.05). At least 80% of people interviewed during follow-up (including patients or family members and healthcare professionals) indicated that ethics consultations were helpful and would recommend them to others.
Authors’ Conclusions |
Ethics consultations reduced length of stay in intensive care by people who did not survive to discharge, but did not alter outcomes for survivors. The consultations were well received by healthcare professionals, patients and their family members.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Intensive care, Ethics consultation, Patient care planning, Randomised controlled trial
Plan
 | Abstracted from: Schneiderman LJ, Gilmer T, Teetzel HD et al. Effect of ethics consultations on nonbeneficial life-sustaining treatments in the intensive care setting: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2003; 290: 1166–1172. |
Vol 8 - N° 2
P. 63-64 - avril 2004 Retour au numéro
Article précédent
- Medical injuries can increase mortality risk and incur additional costs
- Anne F Reilly, Patrick M Reilly
- Children and adolescents on Medicaid do not receive the same quality of care from commercial health plans as commercial enrolees
- Cindy Brach
Bienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
L’accès au texte intégral de cet article nécessite un abonnement.
Déjà abonné à cette revue ?