End of Life in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit: Is Extubating to Comfort Care Comfortable?

Patients extubated to comfort care in the neurological intensive care unit (Neuro-ICU) comprise a unique population because their end of life signs of distress can be related to both neurological pathology and multisystem dysfunction. Previous studies have examined time to cardiac death after extubation to comfort care and its predictors [1,2]; but there are few studies describing patients ’ distress developed after extubation and the time required to achieve observable distress control. [3-7] The goal of this study is to determine if Neuro-ICU patients demonstrate persistent signs of distress after transitioning to comfort care and how long these take to treat.
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - Category: Palliative Care Authors: Source Type: research