The wave of very old people in the intensive care unit-A challenge in decision-making

Peter Vernon van Heerden, Sigal Sviri, Michael Beil, Dylan de Lange, Wojciech Szczeklik, Christian Jung, Bertrand Guidet, Susannah Leaver, Andrew Rhodes, Ariane Boumendil, Hans Flaatten

Research output: Contribution to journalComment/Letter to the editorAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

In this paper the authors express the opinion that there is much to be learned about the 80+ year old age group as it relates to critical care and end-of-life matters. We need to learn how to better predict outcome, we need to learn our limitations and deal with uncertainties, we need to better communicate with our elderly patients and their caregivers and we need to engage with our colleagues in Geriatrics. There is a wave of very old people arriving in the intensive care unit and we have much to do to prepare for it and for the ethical, fair and appropriate care of these critically ill, but elderly, patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)290-293
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Critical Care
Volume60
Early online date10 Sept 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2020

Keywords

  • Decision-making
  • Intensive care
  • Very old people

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