Prior Advance Care Planning Is Associated with Less Decisional Conflict among Surrogates for Critically Ill Patients

• DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.201504-253oc
• Publication Date: 2015-08-04T19:20:26Z
• Authors: Jared Chiarchiaro; Praewpannarai Bud...; Robert M. Arnold; Douglas B. White
• Keywords: Advance Care Planning

Although numerous studies have documented that family members in intensive care units struggle with end-of-life decisions for incapacitated patients, there is little information about whether prior advance planning lessens the burden of decision making.We sought to measure decisional conflict surrogates critically ill patients and examine associated less conflict.We performed a secondary data analysis multicenter, prospective cohort study done at five U.S. academic medical centers included 471 257 acute respiratory distress syndrome. The main outcome was surrogates' making as measured using Decisional Conflict Scale. Surrogates completed questionnaire item addressing they had any conversations their loved ones. We used multilevel linear regression modeling association between planning.Moderate or high levels (Decisional Scale score≥25) were present 48% surrogates. After adjusting potential confounders, who engaged significantly lower than those not (mean score 3.3 points on Scale; 95% confidence interval, -6.4 -0.2; P=0.03).Nearly half moderate conflict. Prior These results suggest scope benefit may extend beyond respecting patients' wishes also ameliorating ones act