Table 3 Intensivists’ practical roles in decisions of admission to intensive care
From: Internists’ and intensivists’ roles in intensive care admission decisions: a qualitative study
Roles | Quotes |
|---|---|
Makes quick decisions | We decide very quickly and accompany them very quickly. (ICU 04) |
Provides care quickly | There can be really urgent situations where the patient risks dying if they don’t intervene quickly with the means we don’t have on the ward. In those situations, we expect [the ICU] to come quickly and somehow save the patient, because he’s slipping away from us. (Med 03) |
Assesses the patient | Anytime we receive a consultation request, whether it’s for an ICU admission or ends in a refusal, we systematically go to the ward to see the patient. (ICU 01) |
Gives expert advice | We have to agree that the treatment plan is technically feasible, so that’s our decision. (ICU 05) |
Manages access to ICU | When I say that we have requirements, it’s that we can’t take everyone in the ICU, patients need to have a reason to be here, they have to fulfill criteria for intensive care [...] we can’t take everyone just to help out, it’s not possible. (ICU 03) |
Has the final decision power | He [the internist] wants to transfer the patient, but we decide if he’s transferred or not. (ICU 10) |
Decides whether or not to limit treatment intensity | Every day, we have to decide whether or not to save patients (ICU 04) |