Table 3.
Initial request and outcome of clinical ethics consultations.
| ICU (n = 113) | LCU (n = 87) | PCU (n = 59) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial request, n (%)a | |||
| Intensity of treatment | 94 (83.2%) | 75 (86.2%) | 39 (67.2%) |
| Structural questions | 2 (1.8%) | 1 (1.1%) | 5 (8.6%) |
| Patients' autonomy | 16 (14.2%) | 8 (9.2%) | 5 (8.6%) |
| Communication | 1 (0.9%) | 3 (3.4%) | 1 (1.7%) |
| Self-endangerment/endangerment of others | 0 | 0 | 8 (13.8%) |
| Other questions | 0 | 0 | 1 (1.7%) |
| Final recommendation, n (%)a | |||
| Improving communication/awaiting course of illness | 6 (5.3%) | 7 (8.0%) | 5 (8.5%) |
| Discharge/transfer | 2 (1.8%) | 0 | 8 (13.6%) |
| Treatment limitation | 51 (45.1%) | 33 (37.9%) | 9 (15.3%) |
| Palliative therapy | 32 (28.3%) | 21 (24.1%) | 3 (5.1%) |
| Treatment intensification | 21 (18.6%) | 14 (16.1%) | 8 (13.6%) |
| Therapy reduction | 1 (0.9%) | 7 (8.0%) | 0 |
| Promoting patients' autonomy | 0 | 1 (1.1%) | 1 (1.7%) |
| Concerning pregnancy termination | 0 | 4 (4.6%) | 0 |
| Concerning interventions against patient's declared intention | 0 | 0 | 22 (37.3%) |
| Self-endangerment is inevitable | 0 | 0 | 2 (3.4%) |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 1 (1.7%) |
| Consensus | 109 (96.5%) | 79 (90.8%) | 55 (93.2%) |
| Implementation rate b | 41 (100.0%) | 21 (95.5%) | 35 (89.7%) |
Note. ICU = Intensive Care Unit, LCU = Low Care Unit, PCU = Psychiatric Care Unit.
a
More detailed information available on request.
b
Data only for 102 CECs (January 2013 to June 2015).