Palliative care outcomes in adult intensive care units: candidate quality outcome indicator items a scoping review protocol; Resultados de los cuidados paliativos en unidades de cuidados intensivos para adultos: indicadores candidatos de calidad de los resultados, protocolo de revisión exploratoria

Introduction: palliative care (PC) outcomes in the ICU serve as indicators of the quality of care. However, the variability in outcomes presents a challenge in maintaining a clear focus on the goals of palliative care in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study aimed to map the outcomes of palliative care as potential quality indicators for PC in ICU settings. Method: this study followed the PRISMA-ScR approach, conducting a systematic search across multiple databases, including PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and BASE. The methodological framework was structured according to the guidelines suggested by Arksey and OMalley. Results: a total of 57 studies were mapped to examine PC outcomes in the ICU. These outcomes were categorised into five thematic groups, with Spiritual Support being the least diverse, comprising only one outcome category: emotional and spiritual well-being. Conclusions: the outcomes of palliative care (PC) in the ICU could serve as potential quality indicators for assessing the effectiveness of palliative care in intensive care settings. © 2025; Los autores.