American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Multicenter Study
Intensive care nurses' experiences with end-of-life care.
With much attention being focused on how patients die and whether or not they are provided appropriate care, the care of dying patients in intensive care units must be described and improved. ⋯ Disagreement among patients' family members or among caregivers, uncertainty about prognosis, and communication problems further complicate end-of-life care in intensive care units. Changes in the physical environment, education about end-of-life care, staff support, and better communication would improve care of dying patients and their families.