Improving palliative care for patients in intensive care units

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

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.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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 it's running

• ICU General Resuscitation (RES UP), General University hospital
  Prague, Czechia Recruiting
• ICU General Resuscitation (RES2)
  Prague, Czechia Recruiting
• ICU Metabolic, General University hospital
  Prague, Czechia Recruiting
• Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (CCM/CVK),Charité - University Medicine Berlin
  Mitte, State of Berlin, Germany Recruiting
• Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (CCM/CVK),Charité - University Medicine Berlin
  Wedding, State of Berlin, Germany Recruiting
• CARITAS Klinik Maria Heimsuchung
  Berlin, Germany Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Claudia Spies, MD, Prof.
• Email: claudia.spies@charite.de
• Phone: +4930450551102

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.