Palliative care intervention in the intensive care unit: Comparing outcomes among seriously ill Asian patients and those of other ethnicities

Background: The literature describing the attitude of Asians toward palliative care in the intensive care unit (ICU) is scarce.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of Asians and people of other ethnicities after palliative care intervention in the ICU.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all ICU patients evaluated by palliative care; the outcomes measured were incidence of life-sustaining treatments, institution of advance care directives, and preferences for end-of-life care.

Results: The palliative care team evaluated 119 patients (46.2 percent Caucasian, 27.2 percent Asian, and 26.1 percent other ethnicities). There were no differences in demographics or clinical variables. Thirty-six percent of the Asians, 49 percent of the Caucasians, and 28.6 percent of the patients of other ethnicities (p=0.19) had healthcare proxies. The palliative care team increased advance care directives by more than 40 percent in all groups (p<0.001). There were no differences in the use of life-sustaining treatments or preferences for comfort measures among ethnic groups.

Conclusion: Asians are as likely as people of other ethnicities to decide on advance care directives, life-sustaining treatments, and comfort measures after palliative care evaluation in the ICU.