End-of-Life Practices in European Intensive Care Units

To determine the frequency and types of actual end-of-life practices in European intensive care units (ICUs) and to analyze the similarities and differences. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective, observational study of European ICUs.

Consecutive patients who died or had any limitation of therapy. INTERVENTION: Prospectively defined end-of-life practices in 37 ICUs in 17 European countries were studied from January 1, 1999, to June 30, 2000. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison and analysis of the frequencies and patterns of end-of-life care by geographic regions and different patients and professionals.