Barbara J. Daly|Sara L. Douglas|Elizabeth O’Toole|Nahida H. Gordon|Rana Hejal|Joel R. Peerless|James Rowbottom|Allan Garland|Craig M. Lilly|Clareen Wiencek|Ronald L. Hickman
Effectiveness Trial of an Intensive Communication Structure for Families of Long-Stay ICU Patients
Case Western Reserve University|Case Western Reserve University|Case Western Reserve University|Case Western Reserve University|Case Western Reserve University|Case Western Reserve University|Case Western Reserve University|University of Manitoba|University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School|Case Western Reserve University|Case Western Reserve University
h3backgroundh3 formal family meetings recommended useful approach assist goal setting facilitate decision making reduce use ineffective resources icu examined patient outcomes implementation intensive communication system ics test effect regular structured formal family meetings patient outcomes among longstay icu patients h3methodsh3 one hundred thirtyfive patients receiving usual care communication enrolled control group followed enrollment intervention patients n 346 five icus ics included family meeting within 5 days icu admission weekly thereafter meeting discussed medical update values preferences goals care treatment plan milestones judging effectiveness treatment h3resultsh3 using multivariate analysis significant differences control intervention patients length stay los primary end point similarly significant differences indicators aggressiveness care treatment limitation decisions icu mortality los duration ventilation treatment limitation orders use tracheostomy percutaneous gastrostomy exploratory analysis suggested medical icus intervention associated lower prevalence tracheostomy among patients died donotattemptresuscitation orders place h3conclusionsh3 negative findings main analysis combination preliminary evidence differences among types unit suggest examination influence patient family unit characteristics effects system regular family meetings may warranted despite lack influence patient outcomes structured family meetings may effective approach meeting information support needs h3trial registryh3 clinicaltrialsgov nct01057238 url wwwclinicaltrialsgov