Withholding and withdrawal of life support in intensive-care units in France: a prospective survey
The LancetPublished 1 January 2001
Édouard Ferrand, R. Robert, Pierre Ingrand, François Lemaire
Citations516
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score12.11
SNIP22.72
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TL;DR
Withholding and withdrawal of life-support therapies are widely practised in French ICUs, despite their prohibition by the French legislation, which may explain several limitations on the various steps of the decision-making process.
Abstract
Withholding and withdrawal of life-support therapies are widely practised in French ICUs, despite their prohibition by the French legislation. The lack of an official statement from French scientific bodies may explain several limitations on the various steps of the decision-making process.
Keywords
PsychologyMedicineHealth Professions
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