ICU futility in advanced cancer patients.

e17586 Background: Large data bases have been analyzed to evaluate the number of cancer patients who die in intensive care (ICU) settings. Little information regarding details of care of these (retrospectively) futile efforts have been explored. Methods: We studied 421 charts of patients who died in the ICU at a university affiliated Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center between 10/2005 and 10/2010. We identified 52 patients with advanced, incurable cancer and performed an in depth review of their records. Results: The mean age was 66 with 9 over 80. Mean duration of cancer awareness was 7.3 months with 14 patients aware of their diagnosis < 1 month. Mean survival in ICU was 4.3 days with 25 living one day or less. 26 patients were supported by ventilators. Only 16 patients had documented discussions regarding treatment preferences or advanced directives prior to admission. 29 did have treatment preference discussions in hospital prior to ICU admission in an urgent situation. 6 patients were directly admitted ...