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- Title
Randomized Trial of Communication Facilitators to Reduce Family Distress and Intensity of End-of-Life Care.
- Authors
Randall Curtis, J.; Treece, Patsy D.; Nielsen, Elizabeth L.; Gold, Julia; Ciechanowski, Paul S.; Shannon, Sarah E.; Khandelwal, Nita; Young, Jessica P.; Engelberg, Ruth A.; Curtis, J Randall
- Abstract
<bold>Rationale: </bold>Communication with family of critically ill patients is often poor and associated with family distress.<bold>Objectives: </bold>To determine if an intensive care unit (ICU) communication facilitator reduces family distress and intensity of end-of-life care.<bold>Methods: </bold>We conducted a randomized trial at two hospitals. Eligible patients had a predicted mortality greater than or equal to 30% and a surrogate decision maker. Facilitators supported communication between clinicians and families, adapted communication to family needs, and mediated conflict.<bold>Measurements and Main Results: </bold>Outcomes included depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among family 3 and 6 months after ICU and resource use. We identified 488 eligible patients and randomized 168. Of 352 eligible family members, 268 participated (76%). Family follow-up at 3 and 6 months ranged from 42 to 47%. The intervention was associated with decreased depressive symptoms at 6 months (P = 0.017), but there were no significant differences in psychological symptoms at 3 months or anxiety or PTSD at 6 months. The intervention was not associated with ICU mortality (25% control vs. 21% intervention; P = 0.615) but decreased ICU costs among all patients (per patient: $75,850 control, $51,060 intervention; P = 0.042) and particularly among decedents ($98,220 control, $22,690 intervention; P = 0.028). Among decedents, the intervention reduced ICU and hospital length of stay (28.5 vs. 7.7 d and 31.8 vs. 8.0 d, respectively; P < 0.001).<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Communication facilitators may be associated with decreased family depressive symptoms at 6 months, but we found no significant difference at 3 months or in anxiety or PTSD. The intervention reduced costs and length of stay, especially among decedents. This is the first study to find a reduction in intensity of end-of-life care with similar or improved family distress. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 00720200).
- Subjects
PREVENTION of mental depression; PREVENTION of psychological stress; TERMINAL care &; psychology; FAMILIES &; psychology; COMMUNICATION; COMPARATIVE studies; DECISION making; MENTAL depression; INTENSIVE care units; LENGTH of stay in hospitals; LONGITUDINAL method; RESEARCH methodology; MEDICAL cooperation; MEDICAL personnel; NEGOTIATION; RESEARCH; PALLIATIVE treatment; COST analysis; TERMINAL care; EVALUATION research; RANDOMIZED controlled trials; PASSIVE euthanasia; PATIENTS' families; ECONOMICS; PSYCHOLOGY
- Publication
American Journal of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, 2016, Vol 193, Issue 2, p154
- ISSN
1073-449X
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1164/rccm.201505-0900OC