Trial of Therapy on Trial: Inconsistent Thresholds for Discussing Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Therapies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to establish the degree of variability in thresholds for discussing withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies (WLST) in periviable infants among neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) personnel. Study Design A vignette-style survey was administered to NICU personnel at two urban NICUs assessing likelihood of discussing WLST or support for discussing WLST (on a scale from 1, not at all likely/supportive to 10, extremely likely/supportive) in 10 clinical scenarios. Results Response rates ranged by clinical role from 26 to 89%. Participant responses ranged from 1 to 10 in 5 out of 10 vignettes for NICU attendings, and 9 out of 10 vignettes for bedside nurses. Lower gestational age (22–23 vs. 24–25 weeks) was associated with increased likelihood to discuss WLST in some but not all scenarios. Conclusion NICU personnel have widely variable criteria for discussing WLST which threatens the informed consent process surrounding resuscitation decisions in a “trial of therapy” framework. Key Points