Key Points
Question
Are intensive care unit-based interventions aimed at surrogate decision-makers associated with differences in patient-centered outcomes and improved surrogate decision-maker–centered outcomes?
Findings
In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 randomized clinical trials including 10 453 patients, diverse interventions were associated with a 2-day reduction in intensive care unit length of stay only among patients who died, without an association with overall mortality. Associations between these interventions and surrogate decision-maker–related outcomes were inconsistent.
Meaning
Intensive care unit-based interventions aimed at improving surrogate decision-making may lead to shorter intensive care unit stays in dying critically ill patients.
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