I am writing to make you aware of a free "product" that we have found quite
useful. Some years ago, I participated in creating a document for the
American Thoracic Society to help patients and families understand the
complexities of Critical Care. Numerous luminaries of the ATS participated
in peer-review of the materials which I coauthored with Martin Tobin (current
editor of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and
arguably one of the world's academic leaders in the field). Attorneys,
ethicists and laypersons also helped in drafting the document, written in
simple language, to educate the public about:
1. General Information - What is the purpose of an intensive care unit?
Expectations
2. Common Illnesses of Critically Ill Patients
3. ICU Devices and Procedures - Risks and Benefits
4. Making Decisions About the End of Life - Advance Directives (with sample
documents, in collaboration with the State of CT A.G.)
The document has the benediction of the ATS and the Site can be examined at:
http://www.thoracic.org/assemblies/cc/ccprimer/mainframe2.html
We've found that item #3 has been the most useful. I don't know about y'all,
but not infrequently the informed consent process for common medical
procedures is incomplete. We have printed all of the above materials for our
ICU waiting area but use the information fact sheets on procedures (from
paracentesis to lumbar puncture) to improve our informed consent process i.e.
obtaining truly informed consent as we give each consenter the information
sheets for review.
The entire purpose of the website is to help inform and the ATS has no
problems with programs/hospitals using the information for these purposes.
I have been very frustrated that these materials have remained hidden,
inadvertently, from the general public in the ATS website, where laypeople
are unlikely to visit. I also realize that some might find this communique
self-promoting - I'm willing to risk that if the document can help some
patients/families and be of use to trainees in obtaining better informed
consent. I welcome any suggestions or criticisms.
CA Manthous, MD
Bridgeport Hospital &
Yale University School of Medicine
