Plain-English translation of NCT04348318 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
This study looks at advance directives—documents that describe what kind of medical care you want if you become unable to make decisions yourself. Researchers are examining medical records from intensive care patients over a 12-year period to understand how often advance directives are used, how they're put into practice, and whether they affect how patients recover or survive their time in the ICU.
When someone is very sick in an intensive care unit, they may not be able to speak for themselves about their medical wishes. This study wants to understand whether having an advance directive in place helps doctors make better decisions and whether it affects patient outcomes.
You likely qualify if…
You likely don't qualify if…
This is a retrospective study, meaning researchers will review your existing medical records from your ICU stay—you won't need to attend visits or take any action. Researchers will look at whether you had an advance directive on file and track information about your hospital stay, recovery, and outcomes. Your participation involves allowing your de-identified medical information to contribute to this research.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Oct 12, 2026 · Not medical advice
Switzerland
Sponsor
University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
Enrollment target
~2,000 participants
Started
August 2021
Primary completion
December 2050
Age range
18 Years and older
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in June 2026.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
Raoul Sutter, PD Dr. med
Clinic for Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Basel
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.