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Intensive Care Medicine
Published in: Intensive Care Medicine 6/2014

Open Access 01-06-2014 | Conference Reports and Expert Panel

International guideline development for the determination of death

Authors: Sam D. Shemie, Laura Hornby, Andrew Baker, Jeanne Teitelbaum, Sylvia Torrance, Kimberly Young, Alexander M. Capron, James L. Bernat, Luc Noel, and The International Guidelines for Determination of Death phase 1 participants, in collaboration with the World Health Organization

Published in: Intensive Care Medicine | Issue 6/2014

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Abstract

Introduction and Methods

This report summarizes the results of the first phase in the development of international guidelines for death determination, focusing on the biology of death and the dying process, developed by an invitational forum of international content experts and representatives of a number of professional societies.

Results and Conclusions

Precise terminology was developed in order to improve clarity in death discussion and debate. Critical events in the physiological sequences leading to cessation of neurological and/or circulatory function were constructed. It was agreed that death determination is primarily clinical and recommendations for preconditions, confounding factors, minimum clinical standards and additional testing were made. A single operational definition of human death was developed: ‘the permanent loss of capacity for consciousness and all brainstem functions, as a consequence of permanent cessation of circulation or catastrophic brain injury’. In order to complete the project, in the next phase, a broader group of international stakeholders will develop clinical practice guidelines, based on comprehensive reviews and grading of the existing evidence.
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Metadata
Title
International guideline development for the determination of death
Authors
Sam D. Shemie
Laura Hornby
Andrew Baker
Jeanne Teitelbaum
Sylvia Torrance
Kimberly Young
Alexander M. Capron
James L. Bernat
Luc Noel
and The International Guidelines for Determination of Death phase 1 participants, in collaboration with the World Health Organization
Publication date
01-06-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Intensive Care Medicine / Issue 6/2014
Print ISSN: 0342-4642
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1238
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-014-3242-7

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