Awareness of good death, perception of life-sustaining treatment decision, and changes in nursing activities after decision to discontinue life-sustaining treatment among nurses in intensive care units at tertiary general hospitals

Abstract

Purpose : This study aims to explore nursing activities after the decision to discontinue life-sustaining treatment, awareness of a good death, and perception of life-sustaining treatment decisions among nurses in intensive care units (ICUs) at tertiary general hospitals.Methods : Participants were 173 nurses working in two tertiary general hospitals. The data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using an independent t-test, paired t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé’s test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.Results : Participants were 173 nurses working in two tertiary hospitals. The nursing activity increase was the greatest in the spiritual domain, and the physical domain was where the activities decreased the most. There were significant associations between Awareness of good death (Clinical) and Perception of life-sustaining treatment decision(r=.26, <i>p</i>＜.001), Awareness of good death (Closure) and Perception of life-sustaining treatment decision(r=.36, <i>p</i>＜.001), and Awareness of good death (Personal control) and Perception of life-sustaining treatment decision(r=.49, <i>p</i>＜.001).Conclusion : Based on the results, systematic education programs and job training are required to improve the awareness regarding good death and perception of life-sustaining treatment decision for nurses in ICUs where discontinuing lifesustaining treatment decisions are made.