RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and predictors of intensive care nurses' active involvement in end-of-life (EOL) decisions. DESIGN AND SETTING: A survey of intensive care nurses from 36 intensive care units (ICUs) in New Zealand. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: A total of 611 ICU nurses from 35 ICUs responded to this survey. The response rate was estimated to be between 43% and 81%. Seventy-eight percent of respondents reported active involvement in EOL decisions, especially the senior nurses (level IV vs. I nurses, OR 7.9; nurse educators vs. level I nurses, OR 4.3). Asian (OR 0.2) and Pacific Islander nurses (OR 0.2) were less often involved than European nurses. Sixty-eight percent of respondents preferred more involvement in EOL decisions, and this preference was associated with the perception that EOL decisions are often made too late (OR 2.2). Sixty-five percent believed their active involvement in EOL decisions would improve nursing job satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Most ICU nurses in New Zealand reported that they are often involved in EOL decisions, especially senior and European nurses.
