Pragmatic methods to avoid intensive care unit admission when it does not align with patient and family goals

Abstract

For patients with chronic, life-limiting illnesses, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) near the end of life might not improve patient outcomes or be consistent with patient and family values, goals, and preferences. In this context, advance care planning and palliative care interventions designed to clarify patients' values, goals, and preferences have the potential to reduce provision of high-intensity interventions that are unwanted or non-beneficial. In this Series paper, we have assessed interventions that are effective at helping patients with chronic, life-limiting illnesses to avoid an unwanted ICU admission. The evidence found was largely from observational studies, with considerable heterogeneity in populations, methods, and types of interventions. Results from randomised trials of interventions to improve communication about goals of care are scarce, of variable quality, and mixed. Although observational studies show that advance care planning and palliative care interventions are associated with a reduced number of ICU admissions at the end of life, causality has not been well established. Using the available evidence we suggest recommendations to help to avoid ICU admission when it does not align with patient and family values, goals, and preferences and conclude with future directions for research.

Figure 1:. Conceptual framework for interventions that might ensure ICU admission is consistent with patient and family values, goals, and treatment preferences

ICU=intensive care unit. POLST=Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment.

Figure 2:. Summary of strategies to avoid unwanted and non-beneficial ICU admission

ICU=intensive care unit. LOS=length of stay. POLST=Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment.