New guidelines for life-sustaining treatment published; respecting patient values, no definition of end of life

On the 28th, four academic societies, including the Japanese Society of Emergency Medicine, announced new guidelines regarding life-sustaining treatment for patients transported by emergency or receiving intensive care. We have clarified the procedure for respecting the patient's values ​​and deciding on a policy through discussions between the patient and their family and the medical team, including doctors and nurses. Unlike previous guidelines, the guidelines do not define "end of life" and specifically indicate palliative care after treatment is completed.

Under the new guidelines, when considering terminating treatment, the medical team considers symptoms, patient intentions, quality of life, etc. Information will be shared with the person and his or her family and decisions will be made jointly. If the patient is unable to express his or her wishes, the patient's wishes are estimated through discussion with the family.

In cases where the team and family members have different opinions or the outlook is unclear, it is specified that a ``limited treatment'' trial period will be used to try treatment for a set period of time. After assessing the progress, the decision to continue or terminate treatment will be reconsidered.

Even after treatment is complete, we place emphasis on providing care that alleviates the patient's pain. It demonstrated how to alleviate the suffering that occurs when patients are taken off ventilators and provide support to their families.