Table 3.
Decision Making Among Patients with Chronic Failure to Thrive and Cognitive Impairment
| Number | Cognitive impairment | Multiple conversations | Family involved or made the decision | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patients approached about or requesting withdrawal because of chronic failure to thrive | 34 | 17a (50%) | 22 (65%) | 25 (74%) |
| Withdrew | 24 | 15 (63%) | 19 (79%) | 20 (83%) |
| Did not withdraw | 10 | 2 (20%) | 3 (30%) | 5 (50%) |
a
Decision made by both the patient and family in 4 cases and solely by the family in 11 cases; two patients with decision making capacity despite mild cognitive impairment refused further treatment.