The dehumanization of the ICU has persisted for many reasons, including structural/organizational problems and defense mechanisms and cognitive errors on the part of clinicians. These cognitive errors are understandable, even predictable.

Brown, S.M., Beesley, S.J., Hopkins, R.O. (2016). Humanizing Intensive Care: Theory, Evidence, and Possibilities. In: Vincent, JL. (eds) Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2016. Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine. Springer, Cham.