End Of Life Care Case Study

Communication is the foundation of interdisciplinary patient care for those working with hospice and palliative care populations (Wittenberg-Lyles, Oliver, Demiris, Petty, & Day, 2008). Shared communication between the nurse, patient, and caregiver is fundamental in decreasing caregiver stress and improving both the bereavement process experienced by the family as well as the symptom management issues experienced by the patient (Ellington, Reblin, Clayton, Berry, & Mooney, 2012). Two types of shared communication methods often found in hospice include face-to-face verbal and non-verbal communication.

Sprinks (2011) suggested that employers need to set aside time for their staff to attend available trainings on communication in regards to palliative care. Communication goes far beyond the spoken word and that therapeutic communication is a vital core a clinical skill that requires ongoing training and practice (Hawthorn,

Death is inevitable. It is one of the only certainties in life. Regardless, people are often uncomfortable discussing death. Nyatanga (2016) posits that the idea of no longer existing increases anxiety and emotional distress in relation to one’s mortality. Because of the difficulty in level of care for end-of-life patients, the patient and the family often need professional assistance for physical and emotional care. Many family caregivers are not professionally trained in medicine, and this is where hospice comes into play. Hospice aims to meet the holistic needs of both the patient and the patient’s family through treatment plans, education, and advocacy. There is a duality of care to the treatment provided by hospice staff in that they do not attempt to separate the patient’s care from the family’s care. Leming and Dickinson (2011) support that hospice, unlike other clinical fields, focuses on the patient and the family together instead of seeing the patient independent of the family. Many times in hospitals, the medical team focuses solely on the goal of returning the patient back to health in order for them to return to their normal lives. They do not take into account the psychological and spiritual components of the patient’s journey and the journey that the family must take as well. For treatment of the patient, Leming and Dickinson agree that hospice does not attempt to cure patients, and instead concentrates solely

The purpose of this paper is to examine communication strategies related to palliative and end-of-life care with a focus on Aboriginal clients. Firstly, I will explain the role of cultural competence in the nursing care of an Aboriginal client. Secondly, I will argue the cultural challenges a nurse may face when caring and communicating with Aboriginal clients receiving palliative end-of-life care. Thirdly, I will present solutions to the aforementioned communicative challenges. Lastly, I will discuss the impact I believe this experience may have on my future practice.

My perception of palliative and Hospice care has changed slightly when it comes to communication with the family. I walked into the hospice unit mentally preparing myself to talk with patient families about their loved one and the dying process; this was certainly not the case. The family and the patient did not want to be bothered unless comfort interventions needed to be carried out and there was no conversation to be had about the patient and his situation. This shows that each family is different, each patient is different; and we need to respect and accommodate their unique

My perceptions have changed dramatically since the Clinical 1 rotation. I have noticed that the minute I walk into my patient’s room, I start to collect data. I notice if they are breathing normal, what their skin looks like, what their cognition level is, and what equipment they have in their room. I have started to connect the “puzzle pieces” of the patient’s health, rather than just feeling like I have a bunch of random information. My perception of people has continued to stay the same from Clinical 1. I continue to have an interest in learning about patients and believe that they also have something to teach us. I have learned so much from the patients and it is fun for me to get to know different

In nursing, the goal of care is usually to restore the patient back to the highest level of health possible. In some cases, however, the goals of care change when a curative approach is no longer appropriate. The new goals of care could simply be palliation and pain control rather than a restoration back to full health. This type of care is called palliative care. Palliative care is not the same as end-of-life care, but the two go hand-in-hand at times. The goal of end-of-life care is a “good” death, good being defined by the patient. Palliation is part of that “good” death. Both palliative care and end-of-life

End of life issues involving education on palliative care and hospice; are these issues important to you and your loved ones? The purpose of this paper is to discuss end of life care and how the legislative process affects this important topic. As the American population keeps growing, so does the amount of an aging population. Is the amount of training and education in nursing school sufficient for palliative care and hospice? Do we need to provide more training to the medical field to help support the growing need for end of life care? At some point in our careers we might be faced with helping someone in their final days. Being educated and having the ability to provide appropriate care is part of our scope of practice. (American Nurses Association, 2010, pp.1-2)

Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Associate Justice of the U.S Supreme Court, is soon up for a vote to join their rankings. The article proceeds to mention a book that Judge Gorsuch wrote in 2006 and his stand-point on the matter of End-of-Life Care where he is against the idea. The article switches to the perspective of Dan Diaz, the husband of a patient who needed medical aid in dying after being diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. Diaz says that if Gorsuch would have been in his position at the time of his wife’s situation he would have a different outlook towards medical aid in

An individual patient solution may include actions of a clinician such as a trial of therapy (Schlairet, 2013). Providers may propose a trial of therapy for an impaired patient that may offer greater clarity as to whether or not the patient is end stage or has a likely positive outcome. An agreement to neither intensify nor expand critical care interventions should accompany the trial if the patient’s condition weakens.

The significance of addressing psychosocial concerns with dying patients is essential to assure a peaceful closure in end-of-life care. The social worker's role is to provide competent, psychosocial intervention with patients and families.

MSW contacted Bambi earlier that day to clarify if they would allow the hospice team to care for the patient while on long term at Lake Hills. Bambi verbalized the Pt would be allowed the needed hospice care while admitted. Bambie stated she and her team will discuss the patient's case and will have an answer regarding patient being accepted or not. MSW met with Pt and both daughters to discuss about the status regarding the patient being transferred/admitted to Lake Hills Inn. MSW informed daughters that RN Jennifer received signed orders from physician, faxed order, med list, H&P, and type of insurance to Lake Hills Inn on 08/03/15. MSW contacted Bambi to check up on a update for an possible admission for the Pt. Bambi stated the referral has been denied because the

The setting in which a patient prefers end of life care is a specific choice that is left to the patient and/or their family to decide as well as the decision to pursue hospice care via a physician’s referral. Many people think that hospice is a certain place, however, hospice care can be provided in hospice care facilities, some hospitals, as well as at home. The decision between hospice care provided at home versus hospice care in the hospital setting is a difficult decision to make at the time of tragedy. However, seeking these services early will help the family be able to receive more available care and support (Nemours Foundation, n.d).

To understand some of the differences and issues specially related communications among nurses and caregivers providing palliative care and end of life care to aboriginal patients who has been diagnosed with terminal illness.

The end of life care can be a stressful and heart wrenching experience that is far too often exacerbated by uncertainty in end of life care. However, with the right preparations, end of life care can be provided with confidence that the grantor’s wishes will be followed. Advance directives are the legally binding instructions a grantor imposes to designate their preferred management of health care (Cherry & Jacob, 2014). Commonly, advance directives are in the form of a living will or a medical power of attorney (Tennessee Health Care Decisions Act, 2004). According to Cherry and Jacob (2014), a living will is a document that sets legal precedent on the level of care a competent adult wishes to be given in the event they become incompetent.