Requests for Accommodation in Brain Death Cases: Emerging Role for Pediatric Palliative Care

Abstract

Death by neurologic criteria is a diagnosis that has presented complexities since its inception and pediatric cases are no exception. While rare, families may request accommodation to deviate from the traditionally defined diagnostic pathway based on their beliefs, mistrust of the diagnosis, or other complex reasons. Palliative care consultation offers a unique clinical perspective to complement the work of intensivists to support families through the diagnosis and possible resolution around accommodation requests. With misinformation and high-profile cases widely visible to the public through the media, these requests require a thoughtful and informed clinical approach by all members of the interdisciplinary clinical team. Common themes in many of these cases are trauma and bias and their impact on caregivers. We use a case-based approach to explore these complexities and clinical tools.