Circumstances of death in 475 patients who died in 41 intensive care units (ICUs)
| Circumstances of death | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Death following decision to withhold or withdraw treatments | |
| No | 91 (19.2) |
| Decision to withhold treatment | 152 (32) |
| Decision to withdraw treatment | 232 (48.8) |
| Decision-making process | |
| No decision | 91 (19.2) |
| Relatives only informed of the decision | 160/384 (42) |
| Relatives involved in the decision making process | 224/384 (58) |
| Family agreement with EOL decision | 373 (78.5) |
| Disclosure of death | |
| Family was present at patient's bedside | 266 (56) |
| Family was informed over the phone | 152 (32) |
| Family was informed upon arrival to the ICU | 57 (12) |
| Death and ventilation | |
| Patient died while intubated | 318 (67) |
| Patient died after recent extubation | 69 (14.5) |
| Patient was never ventilated | 88 (18.5) |
| Who was present in patient's room at the time of death?# | |
| Relatives | 266 (56) |
| Physician at bedside | 165 (34.7) |
| Nurse at bedside | 304 (64) |
| Compliance with quality indicators for EOL care [47] | |
| Family-centred decision-making/involvement | 224 (47.1) |
| 24-h family presence | 166 (34.7) |
| Spiritual support | 62 (13) |
| Emotional support available in ICU | 176 (37.1) |
| Intervention of external palliative care consultant | 12 (2.5) |