Background: The convergence of end-of-life care and surgical practice often occurs in the
surgical intensive care unit, although many of these patients do not receive palliative care
services. There is a need for guidelines that educate surgeons how to identify patients in the
SICU who could benefit from these services. Methods: A group of 29 national and local
experts were identified based on qualifications as surgical intensivists, palliative care
specialists, or members of the American College of Surgeons Task Force on Surgical …