Evaluating the Use of Advance Directives in Intensive Care

Advance Directive Implementation and Scientific Evaluation (ADVISE) Study

Observational University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · NCT04348318

This study looks at how having advance directives affects the health outcomes of adults in the intensive care unit at University Hospital Basel.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment2000 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Basel, Switzerland Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Aarau and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04348318 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to analyze the implementation and impact of advance directives on patient outcomes in the intensive care unit at the University Hospital Basel. By retrospectively extracting data from digital medical records of adult patients admitted between 2011 and 2023, the study will assess the proportion of patients with advance directives and compare their in-hospital outcomes, such as survival and neurological recovery, to those without such directives. Descriptive analyses will be utilized to provide insights into the effectiveness of advance directives in guiding treatment decisions during critical illness.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adult patients who were treated in the intensive care unit for more than 48 hours at the University Hospital Basel during the specified time frame.

Not a fit: Patients who have documented refusal of general consent or were treated in the intensive care unit for less than 48 hours will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the understanding of advance directives, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes and more personalized care in critical situations.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this study may be novel, previous studies have indicated that advance directives can play a significant role in patient care decisions, suggesting potential for meaningful insights.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* adult patients treated for more than 48 hours in the intensive care unit (post-operative or internal medicine) of the University Hospital Basel in the years 2011-2023

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with documented refusal of the general consent.
* Patients who have been treated in the intensive care unit for less than 48 hours

Where this trial is running

Aarau and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Loss of Capability of Judgementadvance directiveslife-sustaining treatmentneurocritical illness
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.