Communication Surrounding Prognostication in the ICU: More Than Mere Talk?

Quality patient care in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU) requires providers to attend to not only biomedical, but psychological and social needs of the patient. Furthermore, in determining the trajectory and goals of care, providers must give prognostic estimates and stand with patients and surrogates to reach appropriate and value-affirming decisions. Here, we review the literature surrounding communication of prognostic information and make evidence based recommendations for the provider in the CTICU.