Table 2.

Consultation characteristics of unrepresented patients with ethics consultations (n=25)

Case	Primary ethics committee role	Final decision maker(s)	Decision	Identify of possible SDM
1	Evaluated possible substitute decision-maker	Substitute decision- maker	Limit or withdraw LST	Uncle
2	Evaluated possible substitute decision-maker	Substitute decision- maker	Limit or withdraw LST	Sibling
3	Evaluated possible substitute decision-maker	Substitute decision- maker, EC	Limit or withdraw LST	Friend
4	Evaluated possible substitute decision-maker	Physician*, EC	DNR/DNI	Friend
5	Evaluated possible substitute decision-maker	Physician	Limit or withdraw LST	Adult child
6	Evaluated possible substitute decision-maker	Substitute decision- maker, EC	Limit or withdraw LST	Friend
7	Evaluated possible substitute decision-maker	Substitute decision- maker	Continue LST	Previously not identified legal guardian
8	Evaluated possible substitute decision-maker	Substitute decision- maker, EC	Limit or withdraw LST	Friend
9	Evaluated possible substitute decision-maker	Substitute decision- maker	DNR/DNI	Sibling
10	Evaluated possible substitute decision-maker	Substitute decision- maker, EC	Limit or withdraw LST	Friend
11	Evaluated possible substitute decision-maker	Substitute decision- maker	Continue LST	Adult child
12	Evaluated possible substitute decision-maker	Physician	Limit or withdraw LST	Sibling
13	Evaluated possible substitute decision-maker	Substitute decision- maker	Continue LST	Friend
14	Contacted previous providers	Physician	Limit or withdraw LST	n/a
15	Contacted previous providers	Physician, EC	Limit or withdraw LST	n/a
16	Contacted previous providers	Physician, EC	Limit or withdraw LST	n/a
17	Found ACP documents	ACP documents	Limit or withdraw LST	n/a
18	Found ACP documents	ACP documents, EC	Limit or withdraw LST	n/a
19	Identified best interest standard	Physician	Continue LST	n/a
20	Identified best interest standard	Physician, EC	Limit or withdraw LST	n/a
21	Identified best interest standard	Physician	Limit or withdraw LST	n/a
22	Identified best interest standard	Physician, EC	Limit or withdraw LST	n/a
23	Made treatment recommendation	Physician	Limit or withdraw LST	n/a
24	Made treatment recommendation	Physician, EC	Limit or withdraw LST	n/a
25	Recommended reassessment of capacity	Patient	DNR/DNI	n/a

^*Refers to the patient’s attending physician

EC = ethics consultants; ACP = advance care planning; DNR = do not resuscitate; DNI = do not intubate; LST = life-sustaining treatment; SDM = substitute decision maker.