Relevant Factors for Providing End-of-life Care among the ICU Nurses

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to clarify the factors related to end-of-life care among the intensive care unit (ICU) nurses and to examine ways to improve care in clinical practice.

Method: A questionnaire survey was conducted with nurses working in ICUs of 27 hospitals. We performed exploratory factor analysis on the practice of end-of-life care in the ICU. Multiple regression analysis was then performed with practice as the dependent variable. The independent variables were organizational structure and personal factors.

Results: End-of-life care at the ICU was divided into the following three categories: unified care provided by all staff in line with the wishes of patients and their families; communication, including information provision for patient-centered care; and environmental and organizational adjustment for best care.

　　Multiple regression analysis showed ICU nurses’ sense of difficulty in providing end-of-life care and whether or not family meetings were held were found to be related to the total score of ICU end-of-life care practice and the three factors of practice.

Conclusion: Factors related to the practice of end-of-life care were ICU nurses’ sense of difficulty in providing end-of-life care and whether or not family meetings were held, suggesting that addressing these may improve the practice.