Back to some bleak science.
One of the problems (please note anybody who reads this from the US) with intensive care is that it is expensive. It takes lots of people — and lots of equipment — ICUs are one of the few areas where the equipment costs get anywhere close to the staff costs.
In most countries, beds are limited. There is no market. There is central planning. Often units are over full.
In the US there is a market and high dependancy units but they cost heaps and they are overfull.
In the end, in my view, it is the family who decide when to stop. The doctor’s job is to outline the problem and prognosis. And in the end, every clinician adjusts the guidelines for the patient and family.
Oh, and this article is from Canada. I expect similar articles from the USA medics within two years of obamacare
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