Defining Futile and Potentially Inappropriate Interventions

Defining Futile and Potentially Inappropriate Interventions

Citation: Crit Care Med. 2016;44(9):1769-1774

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The Society of Critical Care Medicine and four other major critical care organizations have endorsed a seven-step process to resolve disagreements about potentially inappropriate treatments. The multiorganization statement (entitled: An official ATS/AACN/ACCP/ESICM/SCCM Policy Statement: Responding to Requests for Potentially Inappropriate Treatments in Intensive Care Units) provides examples of potentially inappropriate treatments; however, no clear definition is provided. This statement was developed to provide a clear definition of inappropriate interventions in the ICU environment. The Society of Critical Care Medicine supports the seven-step process presented in the multiorganization statement.

Guideline Type: Clinical