Do advance directives actually guide ICU care? a 12-year hospital review aims to find out.
NCT ID NCT04348318
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study examines how often advance directives—written instructions about a person's medical wishes—are used and followed in the intensive care unit (ICU). Researchers will review the digital medical records of about 2,000 adult patients treated in the ICU at a Swiss hospital between 2011 and 2023. They will compare outcomes like survival and recovery between patients who had an advance directive and those who did not, to see if these documents make a difference in care.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
What this could lead to
If successful, this study could help hospitals better respect patients' end-of-life wishes and improve care for those unable to make decisions.
What could go wrong
This is an observational study that looks back at medical records, so it cannot prove cause and effect. Results may not apply to other hospitals or countries.
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This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Clinic for Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Basel
RECRUITINGBasel, 4031, Switzerland
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
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Kantonsspital Aarau
RECRUITINGAarau, Switzerland
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