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In emergency departments (EDs), the decision to initiate intubation for seriously ill older adults is not just a medical decision—it's a deeply personal one that arrives during critical, often final moments of a patient's life. With a notable increase in ED visits and intubation rates among older adults in the last two decades, emergency physicians find themselves at the center of some of the most impactful conversations in medicine.
When an older adult enters the ED, it often marks a significant point in their health trajectory, typically indicating a rapid decline. Most concerning is that the majority of these patients do not have advance directives prepared when they need them the most. This absence necessitates immediate, clear, and compassionate conversations about patient wishes and medical realities, all within the stressful, time-sensitive environment of the ED.
Emergency physicians understand the importance of these discussions. They strive to ensure that the care decisions align with the patient's end-of-life preferences, emphasizing quality of life over mere extension. Research shows that a significant percentage of older adults would consider conditions like being confined to a bed or dependent on life support machines as equal to or worse than death. Thus, these conversations need to address the harsh realities and the patients' personal values simultaneously.
The approach to these discussions mirrors the complexity of the decisions they involve. It starts with an honest assessment of the patient's prognosis and a compassionate dialogue about what the patient values most in life. Physicians must quickly establish a rapport with the patient or their surrogates, gently break the bad news, and explore the patient's daily functions and long-term desires.
Ultimately, these conversations culminate in a shared decision-making process, where the medical team and the patient's representatives agree on a course of action that honors the patient's wishes, whether it focuses on comfort, recovery, or a balance of both. It's about making the remaining time meaningful and aligned with what the patient considers a life worth living.
This structured approach to end-of-life care conversations in the ED is not just about medical outcomes. It's about respect, dignity, and empathy. It's a testament to the complexity of care required at the intersection of life, death, and the human condition.
References
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0196064420304108