Hospital variation and temporal trends in palliative and end-of-life care in the ICU

Hospital variation and temporal trends in palliative and end-of-life care in the ICU. Critical care medicine, June 2013, Vol. 41(6), p.1404-11

DeCato, T.W., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Abstract/2013/06000/Hospital_Variation_and_Temporal_Trends_in.3.aspx

Although studies have shown regional and interhospital variability in the intensity of end-of-life care, few data are available assessing variability in specific aspects of palliative care in the ICU across hospitals or interhospital variability in family and nurse ratings of this care. Recently, relatively high family satisfaction with ICU end-of-life care has prompted speculation that ICU palliative care has improved over time, but temporal trends have not been documented.