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Going home from ICU to die: a celebration of life *
Author(s) -
RyderLewis Michelle
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
nursing in critical care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.689
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1478-5153
pISSN - 1362-1017
DOI - 10.1111/j.1362-1017.2005.00117.x
Subject(s) - staffing , terminally ill , intensive care unit , nursing , medicine , palliative care , intensive care medicine
There is much literature regarding going home to die in terminally ill cancer patients however, little is written about withdrawing treatment at home in critical care. One intensive care unit's experience in New Zealand demonstrates how this can be done safely. The preparation of families and patients must be done with great care. There are challenges to be overcome including supportive resources in the community, staffing and safety of the patient and family. It is possible to withdraw/withhold treatment in a patient's home and this is highly valued by the families.