End of Life Care Flashcards
unexpected death points:
profound sense of shock
no chance to say goodbye
legal involvement/ press coverage
what is the 2008 scottish national action plan for palliative care and end of life care?
‘living and dying well’
what does living and dying well aim to do?
discuss patients wishes with them and try where possible to care for them where they want to be treated and in a way they want to be treated
how do you know if a patient is at a palliative stage?
supportive and palliative care indicators tool
how do you plan with a patient in palliative care?
‘Anticipatory care planning’
questions to ask patients when ‘Anticipatory care planning’:
where do they want to be cared for?
do they want to be resuscitated in the event of cardiac arrest?
do they want to be allowed to die naturally?
do they want to be informed of their care and any changes in their condition?
are they fully aware of their prognosis?
is their family aware of their prognosis?
once a patient has discussed their anticipatory care planning - the patient is placed on what?
the palliative care register
what assesses how quickly the situation is changing for the patient?
palliative performance scale (PPS)
how does the palliative performance scale work?
you assess the activity and evidence of disease
self-care
intake
conscious level
ambulation (sitting/ lying)
(to give you a PPS level in %)
control of symptoms and pain in palliative care
pain relief
anxiety
insomnia
nausea
WHO definition of palliative care:
Provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
affirms life and regards dying as a normal process
intends neither to hasten or postpone death
integrates psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care
support system for patients to live actively until death
support system for family
uses team to address patients needs and their families needs
team involved in palliative care
health and social care partnership team
Macmillan nurses
CLAN
Marie Curie nurses
Religious or cultural groups
define a good death
pain free
open acknowledgement of imminence of death
death at home surrounded by family and friends
an ‘aware’ death - personal conflicts and unfinished business are resolved
death as personal growth
death according to personal preference in a manner that resonates with the persons individuality
Preferred place of care (end of life)
home death
hospices
what enables end of life care in the home?
Gold standards framework
