Medical ethics in ICU patients: conflicts and their resolution

Abstract

The patients admitted to an ICU are special in many respects; they may have one or more than one organ failure, old age or an irreversible or a terminal illness. The cost of standardized intensive care is high and many families find it impossible to sustain the cost of prolonged intensive care of their near and dear ones. Difficult decisions may have to be taken by the patient, families or the treating physician. This is the point when medical ethics get involved into it. This special article addresses some of the dilemmas related to ethical issues.