Terminal Extubation

Publication date: Available online 17 January 2015 Source:Hospital Medicine Clinics Author(s): Ursula McVeigh , Shaden Eldakar-HeinTeaser Terminal extubations require clinicians to be facile in multiple domains: communication, decisional support, ethics, and palliation of difficult symptoms. Key elements of communication include expressions of empathy, explaining the role of surrogate decision makers, prognostication, and identifying goals of care with recommendations for plan of care to best match goals. Terminal extubation is an ethically sound procedure rooted in the principles of proportionality and with a strong emphasis on the patients’ autonomy. Symptom management should include consideration for sedation to unconsciousness when required based on degree of anticipated suffering and goals of care.
Source: Hospital Medicine Clinics - Category: Internal Medicine Source Type: research