Journal of palliative medicine
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The purpose of this analysis was to describe the presence and timing of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders for imminently dying patients in VA Medical Centers, and to examine factors associated with these processes. ⋯ Results suggest that the DNR process might be improved by interventions that target ICU settings, facilitate transitions to less intensive locations of care, ensure the involvement and availability of pastoral care staff, and create environments that support the presence of family members.
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Chronic breathlessness is a daily experience for millions of people, despite current therapies. The objective of this study was to find out to what people attributed their breathlessness irrespective of health service utilization, and to understand the demographic characteristics in each diagnostic group. ⋯ Breathlessness is widely encountered. The burden in prevalence and duration generated by lung disease greatly surpasses other causes. This underlines the need to intensify efforts to minimize the causes of chronic lung disease, and to more actively palliate the subjective symptom of chronic breathlessness.