When the end is near: an ICU patient who died at home
De Vries, A.J.H.; van Wijlick, E.H.J.; Blom, J.M.; Meijer, I.; Zijlstra, J.G.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 155(26): A3025
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1876-8784 PMID: 21767420 Document Number: 650264
We describe the process of transferring a 64-year-old male from a Dutch intensive care unit to his home so that he could die there. He was a respirator-dependent cardiac surgical patient; his intensive care treatment had been withdrawn. We describe the requirements regarding the transfer of care, the role of the nursing staff and documentation of the process. We discuss the natural cause of death and subsequent administrative steps. Based on the positive reactions of the patient and his family, we propose to incorporate this process into Dutch intensive care practice guidelines.