The European respiratory journal : official journal of the European Society for Clinical Respiratory Physiology
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A survey was performed on behalf of the European Respiratory Society to assess end-of-life practices in patients admitted to European respiratory intermediate care units and high dependency units over a 6-month period. A 33-item questionnaire was sent by e-mail to physicians throughout Europe and the response rate was 28 (29.5%) out of 95. A total of 6,008 patients were admitted and an end-of-life decision was taken in 1,292 (21.5%). ⋯ In European respiratory intermediate care units and high dependency units, an end-of-life decision is taken for 21.5% of patients admitted. Withholding of treatment, do-not-intubate/do-not-resuscitate orders and noninvasive mechanical ventilation as the ventilatory care ceiling are the most common procedures. Competent patients are often involved, together with nurses.