Value, Chronic Critical Illness, and Choosing Wisely

Author Department

Medicine; Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine

Document Type

Article, Peer-reviewed

Publication Date

7-2018

Abstract

Management of limited health-care resources has been of growing concern. Stewardship of health-care dollars and avoidance of low-value care is being increasingly recognized as a matter that affects all practitioners. This review aims to examine a particular pathological state with multifactorial origins: chronic critical illness (CCI). This condition exerts a large toll on society as well as individual patients and their families. Here, we offer a brief review as to the incidence/prevalence of CCI and suggestions for prevention. Emphasis should be placed on the importance of early, open communication among physicians and patients about their end-of-life decisions and advanced directives, so that decisions can be made wisely and with the patient's best interests in mind.

PMID

30064283

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