Death with dignity: devising a withdrawal of treatment process

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Critical Care Medicine
• Medical Ethics

Background:

• A 2002 study at St Thomas' Hospital investigated nurse preparedness for patient care during treatment withdrawal.
• Previous understanding of nurses' confidence and knowledge in intensive care unit (ICU) end-of-life care was limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess nurses' perceived preparedness in managing patients undergoing withdrawal of treatment (WoT) in the ICU.
• To identify specific knowledge and confidence gaps among ICU nurses concerning WoT procedures.

Main Methods:

• A study was conducted at St Thomas' Hospital in 2002.
• The research focused on the experiences and perceptions of nurses within the intensive care unit setting.

Main Results:

• The study found that ICU nurses felt unprepared for the withdrawal of treatment (WoT) process.
• Nurses reported a lack of clarity, confidence, and knowledge regarding WoT procedures.
• These findings indicated significant deficiencies in existing training and support.

Conclusions:

• Nurses require enhanced education and support to effectively manage patients during treatment withdrawal in ICUs.
• The identified gaps in knowledge and confidence necessitate targeted interventions.
• The study's outcomes directly influenced the establishment of a WoT steering group to address these critical issues.