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Table 3 Questions where there were statistically significant differences in responses between the four pediatric intensive care units

From: Variability in the pediatric intensivists' threshold for withdrawal/limitation of life support as perceived by bedside nurses: a multicenter survey study

Question

A (n = 37)

B (n = 35)

C (n = 49)

D (n = 84)

Total (n = 205)

p value

Each intensivist allows the same amount of family contribution to the decision regarding W/L or a DNR. Too much family influence is allowed with some intensivists (n = 204).

< 0.001

SA/A

11 (30%)

11 (31%)

34 (69%)

42 (50%)

98 (48%)

 

N

9 (24%)

5 (14%)

10 (20%)

18 (21%)

42 (21%)

 

D/SD

17 (46%)

19 (54%)

5 (10%)

23 (27%)

64 (31%)

 

A PICU intensivist has W/L without having a discussion with the family. This occurs often (n = 205).

< 0.001

SA/A

1 (3%)

0 (0%)

0 (0%)

17 (20%)

10 (5%)

 

N

0 (0%)

0 (0%)

7 (14%)

22 (26%)

29 (14%)

 

D/SD

36 (97%)

35 (100%)

42 (86%)

53 (63%)

166 (81%)

 

The threshold to suggest W/L based on projected QOL differs among intensivists by:

0.003

< 1%

6 (16%)

7 (20%)

0 (0%)

5 (6%)

18 (9%)

 

5%

10 (27%)

10 (29%)

9 (18%)

16 (19%)

45 (22%)

 

10%

13 (35%)

9 (26%)

12 (24%)

22 (26%)

56 (27%)

 

15%

4 (11%)

0 (0%)

13 (27%)

15 (18%)

32 (16%)

 

> 20%

3 (8%)

5 (14%)

12 (24%)

13 (15%)

33 (16%)

 

Blank

1 (3%)

4 (11%)

3 (6%)

13 (15%)

21 (10%)

 
  1. All comparisons by Chi-square test
  2. W/L = withdrawal or limitation of life support treatment; DNR = do not resuscitate order; QOL = quality of life; SA/A = strongly agree or agree; N = neutral; D/SD = disagree or strongly disagree; N/A = not answered