The aim was to illuminate ICU-nurses' roles in the process of decision-making regarding limitation of life prolonging treatment to sedated patients on ventilators, and to get an insight to related knowledge of ethical and legal guidelines
Method:
Data consisted of qualitative semi-structured interviews analyzed via qualitative content analyses.
Findings:
The findings describe the nurses' legally and ethical competences in relation to their caring role and insight into how the National Guideline is used. The ICU-nurses found decision-making difficult, but viewed their role as crucial through the whole withdrawal process. They took part indirectly in the decision-making concerning withdrawal as they are the ones who mediate their patient observations and next of kin's wishes. Findings are presented in four categories: the ICU-nurses inclusion and participation in decision-making, deficient documentation, informing the next of kin and uncertainty about ethical and juridical perspectives.
Conclusion:
A multi-professional dialogue, knowledge about ethical and legal competencies, and content in the National Guideline, are seen as important help to the nurses as they are the ones who stay close to patients and the next of kin.
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