Discussions with outpatients with XXXX regarding mechanical ventilation as life-sustaining therapy.

@entity1 @entity1030
@entity1 with acute exacerbations of @entity1030 ( @entity1030 ) are often too sick to make informed decisions regarding the use of mechanical ventilation (MV). Prior knowledge of their wishes regarding this form of therapy, therefore, is essential in order to preserve their autonomy. In order to characterize this group of @entity1 with respect to their knowledge of mechanical ventilation as a potential treatment for their disease, we surveyed 40 stable outpatients with the diagnosis of @entity1030 . All @entity1 attended either the general medical clinic or the pulmonary clinic of a university and veterans' hospital. The median age of the @entity1 was 67 years, and the median forced expiratory volume in 1 second was 1.26 L. Consecutive @entity1 were asked to participate in a survey that examined the following questions: (1) Was there an awareness of MV as a treatment modality? (2) Had there been prior discussions with their physicians concerning MV? (3) Were the @entity1 able to express a decision concerning MV as indefinite life-sustaining therapy? Our results showed that 35% of @entity1 were not aware of MV. Only 14% had previously discussed MV with their physicians; 40% indicated a decision to use MV, 22% would decline MV, and 38% were unsure. @entity1 who had discussions were more likely to specify a choice concerning MV when compared with those @entity1 who had no prior discussions. We conclude that discussions between @entity1 with @entity1030 and their physicians occur infrequently, but when they do occur, they help @entity1 formulate a decision.
