Comfort Measures Only: Agreeing on a Common Definition Through a Survey

Cristian Zanartu, B. Matti-Orozco

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Despite how frequently we say "comfort measures only" (CMO) in the hospital setting, review of the medical literature yields poor representation and definition of the term. Through a survey in our hospital center, we aimed at understanding what doctors understand as CMO. A total of 176 physicians responded to the survey. We asked them about the moment in the patient care timeline when to use it and what degree of respiratory support, laboratory draws, antibiotic therapy, level of care, and code status should be a part of it. Disparities in responses were the norm, and common defining characteristics were the exception.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)35-39
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Volume30
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • comfort
  • death
  • goals
  • hospice
  • noninvasive
  • palliative

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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