Table 1 American College of Critical Care Medicine key recommendations for improving the care of ICU patients during the dying process: adapted from Clarke et al. [22] and Mularski et al. [23]
From: Quality of transition to end-of-life care for cancer patients in the intensive care unit
1. Patient- and family-centred decision-making | |
Involve patient and family in decision-making/discussions as appropriate to the individual; initiate advanced care planning | |
2. Communication with team/patient/family | |
Meet with the multidisciplinary team to plan care; meet regularly with patient and family to review situation and answer questions; sensitive communication | |
3. Spiritual support | |
Regularly assess and document spiritual needs; document offer of spiritual support | |
4. Emotional and practical support | |
Open visitation for family; provide support and written logistical information (e.g. accommodation); financial and bereavement advice | |
5. Symptom management and comfort care | |
Assess symptoms before and after interventions; follow best clinical practice using pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic means for best symptom management | |
6. Continuity of care | |
Maximise continuity of care for patients; introduce new clinicians | |
7. Emotional and organisational support for intensive care unit clinicians | |
Support and educate staff on the ICU who are caring for dying patients |