Study links reduced ICU use to advance planning, palliative care
 
Advanced care planning and palliative care can reduce the use of the ICU at the end of life, according to a literature review by researchers from the University of Washington, Seattle. All three studies that assessed whether palliative care consults affected ICU admissions reported reductions in admits when patients with life-limiting illnesses received palliative care. Among 16 studies evaluating length of stay, five reported no change and 11 had a reduction in stays when patients received advance care planning or palliative care. Results from the literature review were published in Current Opinions in Critical Care. Link to source (Subscription required)>>