Question: What terms can be used for Comfort Measures Only?

Is "withdrawal of care" acceptable terminology for Comfort Measures Only?

Answer:

No, "withdrawal of care" does not meet the definition for CMO. Only terms identified in the list of inclusions are acceptable. No other terminology will be accepted (see Alphabetical Data Disctionary pdf data element definition for Comfort Measures Only).

Inclusion Guidelines for Abstraction: • Brain dead • Brain death • Comfort care • Comfort measures • Comfort measures only (CMO) • Comfort only • End of life care • Hospice • Hospice care • Organ harvest • Palliative care • Palliative measures • Terminal care

http://www.jointcommission.org/PerformanceMeasurement/PerformanceMeasurement/Current+NHQM+Manual.htm