Prevalence of Non-Beneficial ICU Treatment

The Ventura County Star has a new story and a poll on medical futility.  In addition to recounting the widely discussed UCLA research, health care reporter Tom Kisken interviews clinicians at other Southern California hospitals.



"I think it happens at every hospital in the United States." -- Dr. Hannah Grossman, chief medical officer at Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks.



"I wouldn't say it happens every day. . . .  I would say we might have one or two patients a week where it might be futile." -- Dr. David Fishman, director of the intensive care unit at Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura. 



"Medical technology allows us to extend life. . . .  Sometimes it can extend death." -- Ron Hyrchuk, director of spiritual care services and a member of the bioethics committee at Simi Valley Hospital