Experiencesof critical care unit nurses concerning the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify, describe and explore the experiences of nurses in a critical care unit (CCU) on the withdrawal of life -sustaining treatment to patients in Buffalo City Metropolitan, South Africa. A qualitative study was conducted in the critical care units from two institutions in the Eastern Cape. A non-probability purposively sampled seven critical care unit nurses was used. Ethics in the study were considered and the pilot study done in one participant which was not part of the study. Few highlights in the interview guide were noted and taken care of. Unstructured in-depth interviews were used as an instrument for data collection. Five main themes emerged from data analysis: • Decision making by doctors concerning withdrawal of treatment from a critically ill patient in a CCU; • Doctor-nurse relationship regarding withdrawal of treatment from to critical ill patients in CCU; • Nurses’ experiences regarding the process of withdrawal of lifesupport treatment from a critically ill patient in CCU; • Nurses’ responsibilities as health professionals towards the patients regarding their profession; and • Coping strategies regarding the withdrawal of life- support treatment from a critically ill patient. Recommendations were put forward to try and reduce the moral distress suffered by nurses in CCUs.