JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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To investigate the use and implementation in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) of three levels of restriction of medical intervention: do not resuscitate (DNR), additional limitations of medical interventions beyond DNR, and withdrawal of care. ⋯ Restrictions of medical intervention were used in all PICUs surveyed. Although severe chronic disease was common among restriction patients, acute disease was the predominant event precipitating placement of restrictions. Imminent death, not quality of life or excessive burden, was the most common justification.
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To evaluate the influence of tobacco industry campaign donations, district location, and political party affiliation on tobacco control legislation among members of the US Congress. ⋯ Tobacco industry contributions to members of the US Congress strongly influence the federal tobacco policy process. Unless this influence is diminished through a combination of members refusing tobacco money and campaign finance reform, this process of contributing to death by thwarting tobacco control will continue to claim hundreds of thousands of lives a year.
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To test the hypothesis that tobacco industry campaign contributions are influencing the behavior of members of the California legislature. ⋯ Tobacco industry campaign contributions influence California legislators in matters related to tobacco policymaking, independent of constituents' support for tobacco control.