Resuscitating and stabilizing acutely ill or injured patients is a top priority for ED personnel, but traditional aggressive approaches to care may sometimes not suit the needs of those with advanced chronic illnesses who present to the ED with critical or terminal events. When seriously ill ED patients decline care targeted to cure disease, it may be challenging to rapidly shift treatment plans, especially if physicians feel unprepared and untrained for such scenarios.
Framing the Conversation
“When managing seriously ill patients who refuse curative care, it’s important to consider patient decision-making capacity,” says Sangeeta Lamba, MD. Pertinent information and options, including the risks of refusing care, should be provided. Ideally, patients will be able to communicate that they understand this information and verbalize their rationale for refusal based on personal goals. “It’s also important to involve the patient’s family, surrogates, or healthcare proxy,” adds Dr. Lamba. With clinical deterioration, patients may lose their ability to communicate. Others can then assist with decision making, especially if they know what patients value.
“ED clinicians should first discuss overall patient goals and values before addressing specific procedures or issues,” Dr. Lamba says. “This information can help physicians frame future conversations and treatment plans to achieve patients’ objectives. It’s vital to understand the ‘why’ behind patient refusal and to use appropriate language and tone when having such conversations.” The ED team should also present viable alternatives if optimal treatment is not desired by patients or their family.
Handling Transitions
Once goals are clarified, patients may need to be shifted from curative care to a comfort-care approach. This transition must occur seamlessly and be done in a way that does not leave patients feeling abandoned. “During these transitions, ED physicians can help optimize symptom control and address physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of patients,” says Dr. Lamba. “This is best accomplished by involving palliative care teams (if available) or appropriate personnel, such as a social worker or chaplain early. For some terminally ill patients who desire only comfort care, it may be appropriate to initiate conversations about hospice. A transfer to hospice may be feasible from the ED.”
Dr. Lamba says ED clinicians can be a valuable asset in aligning treatment approaches with the goals and values of seriously ill patients. “The key is to rapidly assess decision-making capacity, perform an informed prognostication, and establish patient goals of care early,” she says. “Using this information, we can avoid future conflict and tailor treatment plans to fit patients’ goals. Smoothly transitioning patients from curative to comfort-based care at the end of life can be challenging, but the ED can help support patients and families at this difficult time.”
