Comfort Flashcards
Most Americans would prefer to die in their own homes
-50% die in hospitals
-25% in long-term care facilities
-20% at home
-5% in other settings
High degree of stress when in the hospital. most want to die @ home around their own stuff.
-Data from numerous studies demonstrate high degree of symptoms distress in hospitalized patients/long-term care residents
Pathophysiology & Etilogy
Improves quality of life of patients and families facing life-threatening illness by preventing, assessing, treating pain and physical, psychosocial, and spiritual problems. Mostly impatient.
Used for life prolonging methods
Palliative Care
Palliative care appropriate for some conditions that may be cured, but treatment failure is also a possibility;
- Acute, serious, life-threatening illness
- Progressive chronic illness
Palliative Care; specialized medical treatment
Support and care of persons in last phase of an incurable disease so that they may live as fully and comfortably as possible
-end of life care at home, long-term care settings and hospitals
-added to medicare program
-two physicians determined that the person has 6 months or less to live
;Generally given @ home
some hospitals have inpatient hospice
Hospice Care
Culture encompasses dimensions such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, abilities/disabilities, sexual orientation, religion and spirituality and socio-economic status.
Religion and spirituality play important role in forming beliefs, practices that are paramount when death is imminent.
Cultural and Religious Considerations
Rights:
- To be treated as a living human being until I die,
- To maintain a sense of hopefulness
- To express my feelings and emotions about my approaching death in my own way
- To participate in decisions concerning my care
- To expect continuing medical and nursing attention even though cure goals must be changed to comfort goals
Dying Persons Bill of Rights
Rights:
-Not to die alone
-To be free from pain
-To have my questions answered honestly
Not to be deceived
-To have help from and for my family in accepting my death
-To die in peace and with dignity
-To retain my individuality and not be judged for my decisions, which may be contrary to the beliefs of others
-To be cared for by caring, sensitive, knowledgeable people who will attempt to understand my needs and will be able to gain some satisfaction in helping me face my death.
Dying Person’s Bill of Rights
Patient Self Determination Act-1991
- living will
- health care surrogate
- durable power of attorney
Advance directives; legal and ethical issues
Written by physician
- based on wishes of client, family
- comfort measures only
Do not resuscitate orders (DNR)
3 states have legislation legalizing; VT, OR, WA
2 states made legal by court ruling; MT, NM
Physician Assisted Suicide