Critical Care Nurses Urge Physicians Not Allow Families to Override Patient Wishes. Many
A new study in the July/August 2017 Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing reports suggestions from 500 critical care nurses on how to improve end-of-life care obstacles.
Major themes include:Ensuring characteristics of a good death
Improving physician communication with patients and families
Adjusting nurse-to-patient ratios to 1:1
Recognizing and avoiding futile care
Increasing EOL education
Physicians who are present and ‘‘on the same page"
Need for more support staff
Not allowing families to override patients’ wishes
I want to second this final suggestion. In my discussions with nurses this is a very common question. The study's quotes are consistent with my own experience:"The most troubling aspect is when patients’ wishes are not followed."
"Respect patients’ wishes NOT families!"
"Follow the patient’s DNR/POLST form regardless of the family’s wishes. The patient filled it out for a reason."
As I have written several times, surrogates who contradict the patient's own instructions or wishes can and should be replaced.
Source: blog.bioethics.net - Category: Medical Ethics Authors: Thaddeus Mason Pope, JD, PhD Tags: Health Care syndicated Source Type: blogs
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