Behandlingsnivå

Behandlingsnivå is a term used in Swedish and other Nordic health care contexts to describe the intended level of medical intervention for a patient. It functions as a planning and decision-making tool that aligns clinical actions with the patient's goals, expected prognosis, and ethical considerations, as well as resource availability. The concept is applied across hospital wards, primary care, and palliative care, and is increasingly used in care planning for older or seriously ill patients.

Healthcare providers define one or more levels describing which interventions are appropriate and which should be avoided. A lower level may emphasize comfort measures and symptom relief with minimally invasive procedures, while higher levels authorize more aggressive treatments such as antibiotics, oxygen, dialysis, or mechanical ventilation, including resuscitation in emergencies. Levels are intended to be specific enough to guide day-to-day decisions and to trigger escalation or de-escalation if the patient's condition changes.

Behandlingsnivå is typically established through early discussions with the patient (or their surrogate if capacity is lacking) and documented in the medical record as part of advance care planning or a treatment plan. When capacities change or goals shift, the level can be reassessed and updated.

Ethical and legal considerations include respect for autonomy, informed consent, and alignment with local laws and professional guidelines. Different institutions may describe the levels with different labels or criteria, so the exact definitions are not universally standardized.

In summary, behandlingsnivå serves as a framework to ensure that the intensity of medical intervention matches the goals of care, the patient's wishes, and the clinical situation, while facilitating clear communication among providers and with patients and families.