Table 2 Responses depending on sex, age, and profession
PVS on mechanical ventilation are candidates for EOL decision | Withdraw = withhold | Making EOL decisions when wishes are unknown | Resolution of conflict among family and physicians | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Healthcare (n = 503) vs. not in healthcare (n = 997) | 67.4% vs. 57.0% (P <0.001) | 23.9% vs. 25.0% (P = 0.635) | Presumed wishes of the patient 12.8% vs. 25.3% | Through hospital ethics committee 54.9% vs. 17.3% |
Discussion between family and medical staff 57.3% vs. 55.3% | Discussion between family and medical staff 34.2% vs. 74.4% | |||
Decision by next of kin 16.7% vs. 18.7% (P <0.001) | Court of law 5.2% vs. 4.9% (P <0.001) | |||
Sex (M/F = 722/778) | 60.6% vs. 60.5% (P = 0.996) | 29.4% vs. 20.2% (P <0.001) | Presumed wishes of the patient 19.6% vs. 21.3% | Through hospital ethics committee 34.3% vs. 27.9% |
Discussion between family and medical staff 58.2% vs. 54.3% | Discussion between family and medical staff 56.4% vs. 65.1% | |||
Decision by next of kin 17.8% vs. 17.9% (P = 0.513) | Court of law 5.3% vs. 4.8% (P <0.001) | |||
Age below 50 (n = 896) vs. 50 and above (n = 604) | 63.7% vs. 55.6% (P = 0.005) | 22.8% vs. 27.3% (P = 0.019) | Presumed wishes of the patient 19.2% vs. 22.6% | Through hospital ethics committee 36.7% vs. 19.7% |
Discussion between family and medical staff 55.7% vs. 56.7% | Discussion between family and medical staff 52.6% vs. 73.3% | |||
Decision by next of kin 17.5% vs. 18.7% (P = 0.534) | Court of law 6.3% vs. 3.2% (P <0.001) |