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Withholding and Withdrawal of Life Support from the Critically Ill

DOI

112

Citations

0

References

1990

Year

Nicholas G. Smedira, B. H. EVANS, Linda S. Grais, Neal H. Cohen, Bernard Lo, Mary Cooke, W. P. SCHECHTER, Carol Fink, Eve Epstein-Jaffe, Casey C. May,
Survey of Anesthesiology

Abstract

The authors describe their observational study of decisions in the\nintensive care units (ICUs) of two hospitals of the University of California\nat San Francisco. Their object was to explore the manner, reasons, and\ncircumstances under which life support is withheld or withdrawn. \nQuestionnaires were used to collect data on diagnosis, duration of intensive\ncare, cause of death, the decision making process, do-not-resuscitate orders,\nadvance directives, and why and how life support was withheld or withdrawn. \nThe authors discuss the implications of their findings for the manner in which\ndecisions concerning life-sustaining care are made. They urge further studies\nof decisions to withhold or withdraw care to facilitate the formulation of\ncritical care standards. (KIE abstract)