Trigger-Based Referral and Needs Assessment in the Intensive Care Unit: A Narrative Review and Conceptual Synthesis

Background/Objectives: Trigger-based referral systems are widely used to identify intensive care unit (ICU) patients who may benefit from palliative care, but the extent to which trigger status corresponds to multidimensional patient and family need remains uncertain. This narrative review examines trigger-based referral, needs assessment, and integrated approaches to ICU palliative care.