Futility In Acute Care Surgery: First Do No Harm

Authors

Melissa Hornor
Uzer Khan
Michael W Cripps
Allyson Cook Chapman
Jennifer Knight-Davis
Thaddeus J Puzio
Bellal Joseph

Publication Date

1-1-2023

Journal

Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open

Abstract

The consequences of the delivery of futile or potentially ineffective medical care and interventions are devastating on the healthcare system, our patients and their families, and healthcare providers. In emergency situations in particular, determining if escalating invasive interventions will benefit a frail and/or severely critically ill patient can be exceedingly difficult. In this review, our objective is to define the problem of potentially ineffective care within the specialty of acute care surgery and describe strategies for improving the care of our patients in these difficult situations.

Keywords

acute, geriatrics, multiple trauma

DOI

10.1136/tsaco-2023-001167

PMID

37780455

PMCID

PMC10533797

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

September 2023

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Published Open-Access

yes