Limitation of therapeutic effort in patients hospitalised in departments of internal medicine

• Published in: Revista clínica espanõla (English edition) Vol. 218; no. 1; p. 1
• Main Authors: García Caballero, R, Herreros, B, Real de Asúa, D, Gámez, S, Vega, G, García Olmos, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.01.2018
• Subjects: Internal medicine; Decision making; Limitación del esfuerzo terapéutico; No cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Medicina interna; Toma de decisiones; Limitation of therapeutic effort; Órdenes de no reanimación cardiopulmonar
• ISSN: 2254-8874; 2254-8874
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rce.2017.10.001

There is little information on the limitation of therapeutic effort (LTE) in patients admitted to hospital internal medicine units. To describe the indicated LTE regimens in the departments of internal medicine and the characteristics of the patients who undergo them. An observational, descriptive retrospective study was conducted on 4 hospitals of the Community of Madrid. The study collected demographic and comorbidity data and the LTE orders prescribed for all patients who died during a period of 6 months. The study included 382 patients with a mean age of 85±10 years; 204 were women (53.4%) and 222 (58.1%) came from their homes. Some 51.1% of the patients were terminal, 43.2% had moderate to severe dementia, and 95.5% presented at least moderate comorbidity. Some type of LTE was performed in 318 patients (83.7%); the most common orders were "No cardiopulmonary resuscitation" (292 patients, 76.4%; 95% CI 72.1-80.8), "Do not use aggressive measures" (113 patients, 16.4%; 95% CI 13.7-19.4) and "Do not transfer to an intensive care unit" (102 cases, 14.8%, 95% CI 12.3-17.7). Some type of LTE was performed in 318 patients (83.7%); the most common orders were "No cardiopulmonary resuscitation" (292 patients, 76.4%; 95% CI 72.1-80.8), "Do not use aggressive measures" (113 patients, 16.4%; 95% CI 13.7-19.4) and "Do not transfer to an intensive care unit" (102 cases, 14.8%, 95% CI 12.3-17.7). LTE is common among patients who die in Internal Medicine. The most widely used regimens were "No CPR" and the unspecific statement "Do not use aggressive measures". The patients were elderly and had significant comorbidity, terminal illness and advanced dementia.