Prise en charge des patients adultes souffrant d'un coma chronique postanoxique : résultats de l'enquête de la SRLF

This survey evaluated the feeling of caregivers regarding patients with postanoxic coma. The online questionnaire was built by the Nurse Congress Commission and the Website Commission of the French Society of Critical Care Medicine (SRLF). Among the 441 responders (232 nurses and 209 physicians), 74% thought that postanoxic coma raised specific concerns and half of responders indicated that this situation induced conflicts between caregivers and family members. Only 3% thought that no treatment withholding was justified although half of responders indicated that a decision of withdrawing including extubation should be taken after at least 2 weeks of evolution. Physicians indicated even more stress and arduousness and also less motivation than nurses when caring patients with postanoxic coma.