Karin T. Kirchhoff, PhD, RN, FAAN

Title: Rodefer Chair and Professor
Phone: (608) 263-0927
E-mail: ktkirchhoff@wisc.edu
Support Staff: Jackie O'Brien
Office Address:

K6/358 CSC
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53792-2455

Education:

Description of Research Focus:

My career has been spent in describing and testing interventions for the critically ill patient, questioning the necessity of the restrictions of ice water and visiting for myocardial infarction patients, testing measurements of blood pressure or mean arterial pressures, and suctioning practices. Also I have been involved in promoting research utilization and now evidence-based practice. Most recently, I have focused on care at the end of life (EOL), especially that given to intensive care patients. I have conducted a national survey of nurses' barriers and facilitators to giving this care.  I have prepared ICU families to witness withdrawal of life support. Current work is in testing an intervention, Advance Care Planning, in high risk groups (CHF and ESRD and their surrogates) while assessing the impact on surrogate decisionmaking and these patient's end-of-life experiences. I have been working in multi-disciplinary teams in studies measuring end-of-life planning or quality of EOL care. I am surveying a national sample of ICU nurses' about their preparation for and involvement in withdrawal of life support.

Teaching/Course Responsibilities:
(excluding independent study courses)

Honors and Awards/Professional Service:

Representative Publications:

Kirchhoff, K. T., Palzkill, J., Kowalkowski, J., Mork, A., & Gretarsdottir, E. (2008). Preparing ICU families for Withdrawal of Life Support: A pilot study. American Journal of Critical Care, 17(2), 113-121; quiz 122.

Kirchhoff, K. T., & Kehl, K. A. (2008). Recruiting Participants in End-of-Life Research. Am J Hosp Palliat Care, 24(6), 515-521.

Kirchhoff, K. T., & Faas, A. I. (2007). Family Support at End of Life. AACN Adv Crit Care, 18(4), 426-435.