Palliative Care in the ICU

Intensive care medicine has previously focused on the treatment of acute illness, but as clinicians become more skilled at treating chronic disease, many patients are left in a state of chronic critical illness. Nearly 20% of all Medicare beneficiaries will see the ICU in the last month of life. Therefore, it has been increasingly important for ICU clinicians to address palliative care in the ICU. Areas of research have included communication interventions, proactive palliative care involvement, palliative care triggers, and spiritual support. While no definitive strategies exist for palliative care involvement in the ICU, improving communication skills of clinicians is a vital part of delivering patient centered palliative care in the intensive care unit.