Skip to main content
Figure 1 | Critical Care

Figure 1

From: Clinical review: The role of the intensivist and the rapid response team in nosocomial end-of-life care

Figure 1

Key aspects in the evolution of decision-making in relation to nosocomial end-of-life situations. Patients with chronic illness have reduced function and increasing frailty, which increase their risk of a crisis. This leads to hospital admission. As this happens, family observation of the patient's physical changes has an effect on their attitudes and perceptions of what might be desirable in terms of medical intervention. While in hospital with an acute admission, discussions with the clinician may also shape decision-making. An acute deterioration then leads to intensivist involvement and, in the absence of a clear documented plan, a partly informed semi-urgent or urgent decision has to be made to either pursue aggressive treatment or comfort treatment alone.

Back to article page