Abstract

Objective: The limitation or withdrawal of futile treatment is widely accepted in the intensive care and medical ethics literature. However, implementing this in clinical practice is often difficult. The aim of the study is to understand the situation of non-indicated admissions and treatments in ICU beds in our country, as well as the doctors’ approaches to this issue.

Materials and Methods: The study is planned as a one-day point prevalence survey consisting of 35 questions (Google Survey form) to be conducted on January 18, 2024. The study is based on two main topics: the proportion of patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) without indication and the reasons for it, and the proportion of patients who receive futile treatment in the ICU, as well as identifying the views and recommendations of ICU doctors on these issues.

Results: A total of 127 doctors working in the ICU participated in the study. Among the participants, 58 reported that 10% of their patients, and 27 reported that 20% of their patients could not be transferred to the wards despite no longer needing ICU care. Due to the lack of available beds in the relevant clinics, 92 physicians stated that patient stays were extended by 1-5 days, and 21 physicians reported an extension of 6-10 days. In cases where transfer to palliative care services was not possible, 50 physicians indicated that 10% of their patients, 26 physicians indicated that 20%, and 21 physicians indicated that 30% of their patients remained in the ICU. Forty physicians reported a waiting time of more than 20 days for palliative care service. All physicians stated that futile treatments were being administered in the intensive care unit. Only 8.7% of the physicians reported that the patient was not in the terminal stage.

Conclusion: Useless treatment that prevents rational bed use in intensive care units; It is a preventable situation with solutions in the light of correct analysis of the problems.

Keywords: futility, indication of ICU, LOS in ICU, palliative care, intensive care

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Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

How to cite?

1.
Utku T, Demirkıran O, Demirağ K, Turan G, Demiraran Y, Gül F, et al. Rational use of intensive care beds in Turkey: Point prevalence survey study. Turk J Intensive Care. 2025;23(2):161-171. https://doi.org/10.63729/TJIC.2025.657