The Influence of Hospital Policies on Clinicians' Decisions to Withhold or Withdraw Life-Sustaining Treatment.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is considerable variation in clinicians' approaches to decisions to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment (LST) across US hospitals. These differences are not explained by patient preferences alone and are likely influenced by other factors (eg, hospital policies, hospital culture, state laws, medical society guidelines).

Research question

How do hospital policies influence clinician approaches to decisions to withhold or withdraw LST among patients admitted to an ICU?

Study design and methods

We conducted semistructured interviews with ICU nurses and physicians at 3 geographically diverse hospital systems across the United States between July and October 2024. We asked clinicians about their experiences with, and perceptions of, hospital pol

SUBMITTER: Piscitello GM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12833480 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature