Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Apr 2015
A national survey exploring views and experience of health professionals about transferring patients from critical care home to die.
Transferring critically ill patients home to die is poorly explored in the literature to date. This practice is rare, and there is a need to understand health care professionals' (HCP) experience and views. ⋯ While transferring patients home to die is supported in critical care, its frequency in practice remains low. Patient stability and level of intervention are important factors in decision-making in this area. Views held about this practice are influenced by previous experience and the professional role held.
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Palliative medicine · Apr 2015
Advance Care Planning in palliative care: a qualitative investigation into the perspective of Paediatric Intensive Care Unit staff.
The majority of children and young people who die in the United Kingdom have pre-existing life-limiting illness. Currently, most such deaths occur in hospital, most frequently within the intensive care environment. ⋯ Advance Care Planning for children and young people with life-limiting conditions has the potential to improve care for patients and their families, providing the opportunity to make decisions based on clear information at an appropriate time, and avoid potentially harmful intensive clinical interventions at the end of life.
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Palliative medicine · Apr 2015
Age as a factor in do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation decisions: a multicentre blinded simulation-based study.
The European Resuscitation Council Guidelines recognise that there is a lack of direct evidence for the effect of age on outcome following cardiopulmonary resuscitation. ⋯ Age is a highly significant independent factor in a clinicians' decision to withhold cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We highlight a potential gap between current practice and supporting evidence base.