ICU deaths in advanced cancer patients: Reasonableness of ICU admissions.

199 Background: Previous evaluations of care and outcomes for cancer patients who die in intensive care (ICU) settings have been limited to large databases. Little detailed information exists regarding the decision making in these eventually futile efforts. Reasonableness of admission has not been evaluated in detail. Methods: Previous evaluations of care and outcomes for cancer patients who die in intensive care (ICU) settings have been limited to large databases. Little detailed information exists regarding the decision making in these eventually futile efforts. Reasonableness of admission has not been evaluated in detail. Results: In our patients the mean duration of cancer awareness was 7.3 months. The majority (38) had expected duration of life prior to ICU of 6 months or less. Only 16 patients had documented discussions regarding treatment preferences or advanced directives prior to hospital admission. In establishing reasonableness of admission: 8 were post procedure complications; 21 had an ECOG p...