Journal article
The role of law in end-of-life decision-making in emergency departments and intensive care units: a retrospective review of current practice in a Queensland health service
Australian health review : a publication of the Australian Hospital Association
12/12/2023
PMID: 38081044
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Objective
There is limited evidence about how legal frameworks that underpin end-of-life decisions are applied in practice. This study aimed to identify how end-of-life decisions are made and documented in emergency departments and intensive care units. The secondary aim was to explore the extent to which the legal processes featured in these decisions.
Methods
A retrospective chart audit of 85 adult patients who died in the emergency departments and intensive care units of a Queensland health service was undertaken. Quantitative data were analysed and reported using descriptive statistics. Qualitative textual data were analysed using inductive content analysis.
Results
Nearly all admissions were unplanned (97.6%), and most patients (74.1%) were admitted from home. Only one patient had an advance health directive, although all had an eligible substitute decision-maker. The qualitative analysis revealed two main concepts – ‘healthcare professionals choreograph the end of life’ and ‘patients and families are carried on an unplanned journey’.
Conclusions
There was limited documentation related to the application of the legal framework in these decisions. Healthcare professionals relied on their clinical judgment about what was in the best interest of the patient. It was common for there to be a substantial effort to achieve consensus in decision-making which coincidently complied with the law.
Details
- Title
- The role of law in end-of-life decision-making in emergency departments and intensive care units: a retrospective review of current practice in a Queensland health service
- Creators
- Jayne Hewitt - Griffith UniversityNemat Alsaba - Bond UniversityKatya May - Griffith UniversityColleen Cartwright - Southern Cross UniversityLindy Willmott - Queensland University of TechnologyBen P White - Queensland University of TechnologyAndrea P Marshall - Griffith University
- Publication Details
- Australian health review : a publication of the Australian Hospital Association
- Publisher
- CSIRO Publishing
- Identifiers
- 991013154284802368
- Copyright
- © 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of AHHA.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health; Office of the Vice Chancellor; Office of Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article