Family Communication at End of Life

Supportive Care & Reference · ICU Decoded chapter 88 · Free in full

Cited to SCCM family-centered care 2017.

Key points

Communicate prognosis early and honestly, holding family meetings within 72 h of ICU admission for the critically ill.
Goals of care: draw out values BEFORE proposing options; recommend rather than menu-dump.
Palliative care consultation improves symptom control and family outcomes; it is not synonymous with withdrawal.
Document code status and treat dyspnea, pain, and secretions at the end of life.

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