Evaluation of changes in forgoing life-sustaining treatment in Israeli ICU patients

1970 Jan 1

Abstract

Introduction: Over the last several years, there have been legal decisions and changes in medical directives concerning end-of-life decisions in Israel.

Methods: The data were compared to evaluate the changes in the frequency and types of forgoing of life-sustaining treatment (FLST) in patients who were admitted to the ICU during period I (November 1994 to July 1995) and period II (January 1998 to January 1999).

Results: During period I, there were 385 ICU admissions, and during period II there were 627 ICU admissions. In period I, FLST or death occurred in 13.5% of patients, and in 12% in period II. There was no significant difference in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (9% vs 13%, respectively), withholding therapy (90% vs 91%, respectively), or withdrawing therapy (0% vs 0%, respectively) between the two study periods.

Conclusions: There was no significant change in the frequency or types of FLST in an Israeli ICU between 1994 and 1998, despite passage of a new Patients’ Rights Law and the issuing of a Ministry of Health directive on the treatment of the terminally ill, both of which occurred in 1996, and recent district court decisions favoring the termination of life-sustaining therapies.

More publications on the subject

Feasibility study of a systematic approach for discontinuation of multiple medications in older adults: addressing polypharmacy

Background: Polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use is a problem in elderly patients, who are more likely to experience adverse effects from multiple treatments and less

The oncologist’s role in delivering palliative care

Abstract Given that such a substantial proportion of oncology patients have advanced and/or incurable cancer oncologists invariably face enormous challenges in maintaining or improving

The cultural context of patient’s autonomy and doctor’s duty: passive euthanasia and advance directives in Germany and Israel

01/11/2010

Abstract The moral discourse surrounding end-of-life (EoL) decisions is highly complex, and a comparison of Germany and Israel can highlight the impact of cultural

Selected issues in palliative care among East Jerusalem Arab residents

01/01/2010

Abstract Understanding of cultural context is important when working with Palestinian patients, particularly in Israeli hospitals. Cultural competence includes individual assessment of communication needs

End-of-life needs as perceived by terminally ill older adult patients, family and staff

01/09/2010

Abstract Purpose of the study: A comparison of inpatient end-of-life needs as perceived by terminally ill older adult patients, family, physicians and nurses, is lacking.

The cultural context of end-of-life ethics: a comparison of Germany and Israel

01/07/2010

No abstract available