Can a simple communication tool cut unnecessary ICU care?
NCT ID NCT04181294
First seen Nov 21, 2025 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 30 times
Summary
This study tested a new way for doctors and families to talk about ICU care for very sick patients with advanced illnesses. Instead of continuing treatments indefinitely, they used 'time-limited trials' — agreements to try treatments for a set period and then check if the patient is improving. The goal was to see if this approach could reduce the amount of non-beneficial ICU treatments without increasing deaths. The study involved 209 patients and trained ICU staff in this communication method.
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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.
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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Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Harbor UCLA Medical Center
Torrance, California, 90509, United States
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Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States
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Olive View Medical Center
Sylmar, California, 91342, United States
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Time-limited trial communication protocol
What this could lead to
If successful, this approach could help doctors and families make better decisions about ICU care, reducing unnecessary suffering and healthcare costs.
What could go wrong
This is a completed quality improvement study, not a treatment trial. Results may not apply to all ICUs or patient populations.
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.