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In the Nick of Time: Advance Care Planning in the ICU

AJN Off the Charts

I made a copy of it and gave it to the ICU social worker to scan for the patient’s electronic chart. I then wrote a note and texted the nurse practitioner in the cancer center to let her know the patient now had an advance directive, thanks to her earlier effort. A profound and clarifying process.

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Preventable and Aggressive Care for Cancer Patients: To the Bitter End

AJN Off the Charts

My guess is that few had had those important conversations or had been offered a wider range of choices than just to be hospitalized or be resuscitated/full code. Had anyone even discussed any of that with them? If older people with cancer are fully informed and want to come to the ED, the hospital, the ICU, I’m a fierce advocate for that.