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Leadership and Team Dynamics

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Post AICD
Author: beachbum
Date: Sep 15, 2009 9:34 am
Does anyone have a hospital policy/procedure for turning off AICD's at end of life. Thanks
Replies: order by [Date] [Author] [Subject]
Re:AICD (by Eva on 09/15/2009)
We do not have a specific policy, but this Fast Fact might be a good place to start if you have to write one.
http://www.eperc.mcw.edu/fastFact/ff_112.htm
Re:AICD (by efracchia on 09/16/2009)
We included this in our Comfort Measures Orders/Policy which clarifies that the focus of care for the patient has shifted to that of promoting and providing comfort. We do not have a specific policy for just turning of AICD's
+ Re:AICD (by rosea on 12/11/2009)
Here at Baptist Health South Florida we do not use DNR but we have 4 levels of End-of-Life Care. The 1st three levels are withholding of life prolonging treatments and the 4th level is Comfort Measures which usually includes withdrawing of life prolonging treatments. We have one policy that covers all levels and withholding and withdrawing life-prolonging interventions. We consider AICD a life-prolonging intervention so we have included in this policy a section called: "Deactivation of Cardiac Rhythm Management Device for Comfort Measures". This outlines the process which includes a standing order sheet where the physician must sign after discussing with the patient or the patient's legal decision-maker, whether to deactivate all or partial therapies of the cardiac rhythm management device.I will be happy to share that with you if you wish.

Rose Allen

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