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Improving palliative care for patients in intensive care units

Enhancing Palliative Care in ICU

Not applicable Interventional Charite University, Berlin, Germany · NCT06605079

This study is testing whether specialized consultations can improve palliative care for patients in intensive care units and support their families.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment2040 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCharite University, Berlin, Germany Academic / other
Locations31 sites (Prague and 30 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06605079 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This project aims to enhance the quality of palliative care provided to patients in intensive care units (ICUs) by implementing specialized consultations. It evaluates the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these consultations as part of a broader initiative funded by the European Commission. The study will involve both patients and their relatives, assessing the need for palliative care through input from ICU physicians. An anonymous survey will also be conducted among healthcare staff to gather insights on the intervention's impact.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include ICU patients over 18 years old who can provide consent or have a legal representative, and whose primary critical illness is not cancer.

Not a fit: Patients who are moribund and expected to die within the next 24 hours may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce suffering for ICU patients and improve the overall quality of care.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown positive outcomes with similar palliative care interventions in ICU settings, indicating a promising approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Patients:

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients in ICU who can give consent and those who can not (via their authorized representative or legal guardian, also possible with delayed consent)
* From 18 years
* The leading cause of critical illness is not cancer
* New admission on the participating ICU \> 72h
* Assessment of the need for palliative care by the in-charge physi-cian of the ICU, because (1) there is a significant disagreement about ICU treatment or (2) because the physician considers ther-apy limitations for the patient or (3) the physician considers a benefit from specialized PC consultation for ICU physician, nurse, or patient or family.

Exclusion Criteria:

\- Patient is moribund and is expected to die within the next 24h

Study cohort relatives:

Inclusion criteria:

\- At least one relative(s) of a patient. This may or may not be the legal representative, depending on national legislation.

Exclusion criteria:

* Refusal by the relative
* Refusal of the patient to participate in the intervention study
* \<18 years of age

Cohort of employees:

Inclusion criteria

* Employed on the ITS as a doctor/nurse
* Employed in the clinical center as a member of the palliative care consultation service

Exclusion criterion Refusal to participate

Where this trial is running

Prague and 30 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.
View on ClinicalTrials.gov → Find more trials like this →
Conditions Palliative Care
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.