Study finds room for improvement in end-of-life care

At UCLA Medical Center, which prides itself on caring for critically ill patients, a recent study showed room for improvement in the way doctors manage dying patients -- and the findings likely apply to other hospitals as well, the researchers say. While doctors excelled at pain control, they did less well at talking to patients and families about prognosis and goals of care. They were good about ordering comfort care, but not about follow-up to make sure the care was effective. Reuters