Some type of LTE was performed in 318 patients (83.7%); the most common orders were “No cardiopulmonary resuscitation” (292 patients, 76.4%; 95% CI 72.1-80.8), “Do not use aggressive measures” (113 patients, 16.4%; 95% CI 13.7-19.4) and “Do not transfer to an intensive care unit” (102 cases, 14.8%, 95% CI 12.3-17.7).
Limitation of therapeutic effort in patients hospitalised in departments of internal medicine
 
  Keywords
 
 
  
   Limitation of therapeutic effort
  
 
 
  
   No cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  
 
 
  
   Decision making
  
 
 
  
   Internal medicine
  
 
Abstract
 Introduction
There is little information on the limitation of therapeutic effort (LTE) in patients admitted to hospital internal medicine units.
Objectives
To describe the indicated LTE regimens in the departments of internal medicine and the characteristics of the patients who undergo them.
Patients and methods
An observational, descriptive retrospective study was conducted on 4 hospitals of the Community of Madrid.
The study collected demographic and comorbidity data and the LTE orders prescribed for all patients who died during a period of 6 months.
Results
The study included 382 patients with a mean age of 85 ± 10 years; 204 were women (53.4%) and 222 (58.1%) came from their homes.
Some 51.1% of the patients were terminal, 43.2% had <dis>moderate to severe dementia</dis>, and 95.5% presented at least moderate comorbidity.
Some type of LTE was performed in 318 patients (83.7%); the most common orders were “No cardiopulmonary resuscitation” (292 patients, 76.4%; 95% CI 72.1-80.8), “Do not use aggressive measures” (113 patients, 16.4%; 95% CI 13.7-19.4) and “Do not transfer to an intensive care unit” (102 cases, 14.8%, 95% CI 12.3-17.7).
Some type of LTE was performed in 318 patients (83.7%); the most common orders were “No cardiopulmonary resuscitation” (292 patients, 76.4%; 95% CI 72.1-80.8), “Do not use aggressive measures” (113 patients, 16.4%; 95% CI 13.7-19.4) and “Do not transfer to an intensive care unit” (102 cases, 14.8%, 95% CI 12.3-17.7).
Conclusions
LTE is common among patients who die in Internal Medicine.
The most widely used regimens were “No CPR” and the unspecific statement “Do not use aggressive measures”.
The patients were elderly and had significant comorbidity, terminal illness and <dis>advanced dementia</dis>.
Abstract
 Introduction
There is little information on the limitation of therapeutic effort (LTE) in patients admitted to hospital internal medicine units.
Objectives
To describe the indicated LTE regimens in the departments of internal medicine and the characteristics of the patients who undergo them.
Patients and methods
An observational, descriptive retrospective study was conducted on 4 hospitals of the Community of Madrid.
The study collected demographic and comorbidity data and the LTE orders prescribed for all patients who died during a period of 6 months.
Results
The study included 382 patients with a mean age of 85 ± 10 years; 204 were women (53.4%) and 222 (58.1%) came from their homes.
Some 51.1% of the patients were terminal, 43.2% had moderate to severe dementia, and 95.5% presented at least moderate comorbidity.
Some type of LTE was performed in 318 patients (83.7%); the most common orders were “No cardiopulmonary resuscitation” (292 patients, 76.4%; 95% CI 72.1-80.8), “Do not use aggressive measures” (113 patients, 16.4%; 95% CI 13.7-19.4) and “Do not transfer to an intensive care unit” (102 cases, 14.8%, 95% CI 12.3-17.7).
Some type of LTE was performed in 318 patients (83.7%); the most common orders were “No cardiopulmonary resuscitation” (292 patients, 76.4%; 95% CI 72.1-80.8), “Do not use aggressive measures” (113 patients, 16.4%; 95% CI 13.7-19.4) and “Do not transfer to an intensive care unit” (102 cases, 14.8%, 95% CI 12.3-17.7).
Conclusions
LTE is common among patients who die in Internal Medicine.
The most widely used regimens were “No CPR” and the unspecific statement “Do not use aggressive measures”.
The patients were elderly and had significant comorbidity, terminal illness and advanced dementia.
Some type of LTE was performed in 318 patients (83.7%); the most common orders were “No cardiopulmonary resuscitation” (292 patients, 76.4%; 95% CI 72.1-80.8), “Do not use aggressive measures” (113 patients, 16.4%; 95% CI 13.7-19.4) and “Do not transfer to an intensive care unit” (102 cases, 14.8%, 95% CI 12.3-17.7).