ABSTRACT
El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir el proceso de limitación de los esfuerzos terapéuticos (LET) en los pacientes internados en una sala general. Para ello se realizó un estudio prospectivo descriptivo, desarrollado en la sala de internación general de un hospital universitario. Fueron evaluados pacientes que tuviesen alguna LET, asistidos por el servicio de clínica médica en un período de 60 días consecutivos. Durante el mismo se hospitalizaron 402 pacientes, 62 (15%) tuvieron algún tipo de LET. Este último grupo estaba compuesto por un 66% de mujeres, la mediana de edad fue de 86 años (78-90) y de la duración de hospitalización de 12 días (8-18). La mala calidad de vida fue la causa más frecuente de LET (69%). Se brindó información acerca de las limitaciones a 43 familias (69%) y 8 pacientes (13%). En la decisión participaron el médico de cabecera (50%), médicos de planta (50%), residentes (40%), la familia (42%) y los propios pacientes (11%). En 7 casos hubo constancia en la historia clínica (11%). Diecisiete pacientes (27%) con LET fallecieron durante la internación, mientras que 44 (71%) fueron dados de alta. En conclusión, la limitación de esfuerzos terapéuticos en nuestros pacientes constituyó un hecho frecuente. No se logró identificar un proceso uniforme o sistematizado para la toma de la decisión de LET. Resulta innegable la necesidad de normativas que guíen al equipo de salud en la toma de decisiones, tranquilicen a familiares y acompañen a los pacientes en sus reales necesidades.
The purpose of this study is to describe the limiting life-sustaining treatment process of patients admitted to a general ward. A prospective descriptive study was designed. The setting was the general ward of universitary hospital. Study participants were patients assisted by the internal medicine department during a 60- consecutive days period who had limitations of life sustaining treatments. During the study period, 402 patients were hospitalized, 62 (15%) of them had limitations of life support care. The median patient age of the last group was 86 years (78-90), 66% were women and the length of stay was 12 days (8-18). A low quality of life was the most frequent cause of limitation (69%). Information about the limitations was provided to 43 families (69%) and 8 patients (13%). The primary care physician participated in the decision in 50% of the cases, while the attending physician, the resident in charge, patient's family and patients themselves participated in 50%, 40%, 42% and 11% of the cases respectively. The decision of limiting life-sustaining treatments was recorded in seven patient's charts (11%). Seventeen (27%) patients with limitations died during the hospital stay while 44 (71%) were discharged. In conclusion, we found a frequent life sustaining treatment limitation in our patients. These decisions did not follow a uniform or systemized process. The need of guidelines to sort the medical and ethical challenges imposed to the medical team is undeniable.
Subject(s)
Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Critical Illness/therapy , Life Support Care/standards , Terminal Care , Argentina , Critical Illness/mortality , Decision Making , Family/psychology , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Prospective Studies , Quality of Life , Withholding TreatmentABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to describe the limiting life-sustaining treatment process of patients admitted to a general ward. A prospective descriptive study was designed. The setting was the general ward of universitary hospital. Study participants were patients assisted by the internal medicine department during a 60-consecutive days period who had limitations of life sustaining treatments. During the study period, 402 patients were hospitalized, 62 (15%) of them had limitations of life support care. The median patient age of the last group was 86 years (78-90), 66% were women and the length of stay was 12 days (8-18). A low quality of life was the most frequent cause of limitation (69%). Information about the limitations was provided to 43 families (69%) and 8 patients (13%). The primary care physician participated in the decision in 50% of the cases, while the attending physician, the resident in charge, patient's family and patients themselves participated in 50%, 40%, 42% and 11% of the cases respectively. The decision of limiting life-sustaining treatments was recorded in seven patient's charts (11%). Seventeen (27%) patients with limitations died during the hospital stay while 44 (71%) were discharged. In conclusion, we found a frequent life sustaining treatment limitation in our patients. These decisions did not follow a uniform or systemized process. The need of guidelines to sort the medical and ethical challenges imposed to the medical team is undeniable.