Refusal to ICU admission based on futility

Abstract

To describe the epidemiology, frequency, criteria and implications of the refusal to ICU admission based on futility in an ICU of 18 beds, in Granada, Spain.

Translating futility

“…n Canada and the United States, discussions about futile medical care have obtained a prominent place in the popular consciousness 1 and in the medical 2 and bioethical 3 literatures in recent years. Although there have been efforts to move away from the term "futility" and toward alternatives such as "nonbeneficial" 4 or "potentially inappropriate," 5 our experience suggests that futility is still part of the everyday medical vocabulary, and the challenges represented by its use persist.…”