Requests for Potentially Inappropriate Treatments In Intensive Care Units
Publication Date: March 2, 2015
Key Points
Key Points
One of the most ethically controversial issues in intensive care units (ICUs) is how to respond to requests from surrogates to administer life-prolonging interventions when clinicians believe those interventions should not be administered.
One reason these cases are difficult is that they bring into conflict important interests of patients, clinicians, and society.
The multisociety statement on responding to requests for potentially inappropriate treatments in intensive care units provides guidance for clinicians to prevent and manage disputes in patients with advanced critical illness.
One reason these cases are difficult is that they bring into conflict important interests of patients, clinicians, and society.
- Patients have an interest in receiving care consistent with their values and preferences.
- Clinicians have an interest in not being compelled to act against their best understanding of their professional obligations.
- Society has important interests in protecting individual rights, fostering clinician professionalism, and ensuring the fair allocation of medical resources.
The multisociety statement on responding to requests for potentially inappropriate treatments in intensive care units provides guidance for clinicians to prevent and manage disputes in patients with advanced critical illness.
Recommendations
...mmendation...
...utions should implement strategies to pr...
...“potentially inappropriate” should be u...
...less-common situations for which t...
...medical profession should lead public...
...commended Approach for Management of D...
...nded Practices for Improving Commun...
Management
...agement
...ies of Disputed Treatments in Intensi...
...Recommended Steps for Resolution of...
...Questions to Assist in Illuminating M...
...Examples of Questions for Public...