Journal of Palliative Care
Respecting Spinal Cord Injury Patient Autonomy in the Context of Terminal Extubation
Terminal extubation, or palliative or compassionate extubation, is a legally and ethically accepted practice in the United States where mechanical ventilation is withdrawn when ongoing life-sustaining treatment no longer aligns with a patient's stated goals of care. Nearly 42% of intensive care unit deaths involve withdrawal of such measures. Despite its legal acceptance, terminal extubation remains a nuanced decision, particularly in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Approximately 18,000 new traumatic SCIs o …