End of life in the critically ill patient: evaluation of experience of end of life by caregivers (EOLE study)
Authors:   The SRLF Trial Group, Aissaoui Nadia , Amilien Virginie , Antier Nadiejda , Auvet Adrien , Azoulay Elie , Barbar Saber Davide , Bavozet Florent , Berger Asael , Blidi Sami , Boissier Florence , Bouju Pierre , Brunin Yannick , Canoville Bertrand , Chalies Maguelone , Chemouni Frank , Couret David , Danguy Marc , Daubin Cédric , Decormeille Guillaume , Demoule Alexandre , Duvivier Julien , Ehrmann Stephan , Escudier Etienne , Esnault Pierre , Galbois Arnaud , Guilbart Mathieu , Grimaldi David , Heming Nicholas , Herbland Alexandre , Hermann Bertrand , Hoffmann Clément , Houcke Stéphanie , Hraeich Sami , Jacobs Frédéric , Jacq Gwenaelle , Jamoussi Amira , Jochmans Sébastien , Kentish-Barnes Nancy , Lacherade Jean-Claude , Lambiotte Fabien , Lascarrou Jean-Baptiste , Lejour Gabriel , Llitjos Jean-François , Lory Cécile , Louis Guillaume , Martin Estelle , Mateu Philippe , Messika Jonathan , Michel Philippe , Mira Jean-Paul , Moschietto Sébastien , Muller Grégoire , Ouanes-Besbes Lamia , Philippart François , Piagnerelli Michael , Piton Gael , Plantefeve Gaetan , Poiroux Laurent , Quenot Jean-Pierre , Reignier Jean , Renault Anne , Robert René , Sement Arnaud , Simonoviez Pierre-Yvan , Terrier Anne , Thyrault Martial , Turc Jean , Vanderlinden Thierry , Youssoufa Atika 
Published: November 2021

Background

The death rate in intensive care units (ICUs) can reach 20%. More than half occurs after a decision of care withholding/withdrawal. We aimed at describing and evaluating the experience of ICU physicians and nurses involved in the end-of-life (EOL) procedure. Primary objective was the evaluation of the experience of EOL assessed by the CAESAR questionnaire. Secondary objectives were to describe factors associated with a low or high score and to examine the association between Numeric Analogic Scale and quality of EOL.

Methods

Consecutive adult patients deceased in 52 ICUs were included between April and June 2018. Characteristics of patients and caregivers, therapeutics and care involved after withdrawal were recorded. CAESAR score included 15 items, rated from 1 (traumatic experience) to 5 (comforting experience). The sum was rated from 15 to 75 (the highest, the best experience). Numeric Analogic Scale was rated from 0 (worst EOL) to 10 (optimal EOL).

Results

Five hundred and ten patients were included, 403 underwent decision of care withholding/withdrawal, and among them 362 underwent effective care withdrawal. Among the 510 patients, mean CAESAR score was 55/75 (± 6) for nurses and 62/75 (± 5) for physicians (P < 0.001). Mean Numeric Analogic Scale was 8 (± 2) for nurses and 8 (± 2) for physicians (P = 0.06). CAESAR score and Numeric Analogic Scale were significantly but weakly correlated. They were significantly higher for both nurses and physicians if the patient died after a decision of withholding/withdrawal. In multivariable analysis, among the 362 patients with effective care withdrawal, disagreement on the intensity of life support between caregivers, non-invasive ventilation and monitoring and blood tests the day of death were associated with lower score for nurses. For physicians, cardiopulmonary resuscitation the day of death was associated with lower score in multivariable analysis.

Conclusion

Experience of EOL was better in patients with withholding/withdrawal decision as compared to those without. Our results suggest that improvement of nurses’ participation in the end-of-life process, as well as less invasive care, would probably improve the experience of EOL for both nurses and physicians.

Registration: ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT03392857.