Palliative Care

Before I started this class I thought palliative care was only used as end of life care, or for when a curative treatment was unavailable or had failed. As we learned about the different models of care, and how they have changed over the years, it became evident that the use of palliative care has changed drastically over the past several decades. In the 1800s to 1900s, palliative care was only used once the patient had reached the dying stage, and only included the patient in this care, not their families1. Before taking this course, this is what I thought of palliative care as well. Since the late 1900s though, palliative care has been used in a more proactive approach. From the moment an individual receives a life threatening illness, palliative care begins. This includes caring for the family of the patient as well. This care increases as the patient’s illness progresses, and even continues for the family after the death of the patient. Learning this has really made an impact on how I would like to work as a

This essay discusses the core principles of long-term conditions and management. Government guidelines and standards are also discussed in relation to how these will impact the care of the patients who are experiencing long term conditions. The reports, guidelines and plans that play an important role in directing the current nursing system today, are discussed with regard to the management of chronic conditions and lastly, palliative care and outcomes from the publication “Together for Health – Delivering End of Life Care” (2013)

Palliative care, somewhat similar to Hospice care, focuses on relieving or preventing suffering from a life altering illness. The goal for both Palliative and Hospice care is to provide the best possible quality of life to

Occasionally, the best care a nurse can provide is providing their patient the ability to have a good death. In a survey of acute care nurses conducted by Becker, Wright, & Schmitt (2016) it was found that dying well was

Another disparity recognized is the standards of care from one palliative care or hospice care center to another. The varying degrees of care are due to lack of education and standards of care. The Center to Advance Palliative Care has recommendations for hospice and palliative care centers to measure and monitor care standards. These guidelines will help quantify data and allow for process improvement to occur among hospice and palliative care facilities. These improvements essentially allow for better education standards and improved standards of care within the hospice and palliative care centers. The most essential part of the paradigm that is palliative and hospice care is the patient. In the article, Is This Palliative care’s Moment,

Nurses are the hospice team members who spend a lot of time with dying patients and their families. “The World Health Organization has characterized the need for expert, palliative and end-of-life care as a top priority for global health care. The specialty of hospice and palliative care nursing embraced a humanistic caring and holistic approach to patient care.” (Wu, Vilker, 2011).

Nurses are expected to provide physicians with quality assessments and needs of their patients to ensure when a change from curative care to palliative care is needed and to ensure good death. Death has always caused an ethical

(2007) research paper, the authors provided the reader with strong research that was done in two states: Hawaii and Colorado. This article objective is “to determine whether an in-home palliative care intervention for terminally ill patients can improve patient satisfaction, reduce medical care costs, and increase the portion of patients dying at home” (Brumley et al., 2007, p. 993). This study was a randomized, controlled study that included 298 out of 718 ill patients with same demographics. Before, 298 participants were chosen they had to have a diagnosis of cancer, COPD, or CHF and have less than 12 months of life expectancy. Also, these participants had to have a score of 70 on the palliative scale, where 0 was being dead and 100 being normal. One hundred and forty-five patients were in the intervention group that received customary and usual standard care, but they also received a greater quality of comfort measures, quality improvement of life, and they will get their symptoms managed unlike the usual care group. On the other hand, 152 patients were assigned to usual care group, where they only received “standard care to meet the needs of the patient. [...] patients were treated for conditions and symptoms when they presented them to attending physician” (Brumley et al., 2007, p. 995), the

Palliative care is care given to terminally-ill patients and their families in order to improve the overall quality of living through physical, emotional and spiritual support. It aims to shift the focus from Euthanasia and death, to preserving and improving the sanity of life to the greatest extent possible.

It was recognised by Jevon (2009) that caring for the dying patient can be the most fulfilling whilst also most challenging times for nurses and healthcare professionals. This paper will introduce a case study based on personal experience within clinical placement, exploring and analysing the above statement. In accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Guidelines (2008) names have been changed to protect patient confidentiality. The paper will seek to address issues relating to the case study examining relevant theory. Current policies and guidelines will be considered in relation to the patient. It will identify a framework involved looking at literature to assess the effectiveness against the case study. Finally, focusing on a

Abstract: Nurses usually face many stressful factors and burnout conditions while caring for patients. Some of these issues include concerns for patients, their families, time factors and levels of professionalism. Communication and corporation also lead to stress among nurses caring for dying patients. Lack of enough nurses to effectively attend to the treatment needs of a larger population of dying patients is another stressful factor in the nursing profession. These issues should be addressed to make the work of nurses effective.

According to the survey of WHO 2011a end of life care patient suffer unnecessarily due to underassessment and treatment of their problem due to lack of access and awareness of palliative care. Office for national statistics 2013d for bereavement survey suggests that most likely the patient with cancer receive high quality and dignified end of life of care. Survey also suggested that dignity and respect rated high in hospice and low in acute hospital settings. Patient who are very frail and have dementia, experience poor end of life care due to less involvement in advance decision process about their care (Alzheimer's society 2008).Study suggested that 40% of people who died in hospital did not need treatment and nearly most of them have been in hospital for over a month (Nation Audit office 2008).Hospital is considered least choice for end of life care so localities show the wide variation in capacity and place of

As leaders, it is our duty to educate ourselves and be aware of what the needs for services such as this are within the community. As educators, it is our responsibility to insure that our future nurses are fully prepared to deliver expertise care. As nurses, we have a duty to advocate for our patients and provide the best care possible in any situation, even at the end of life. According to an article by Meier (2011), evidence discloses that those with serious illness or multiple chronic illnesses receive inadequate care when it comes to quality care at the end of life.

I have always believed that health cannot be optimized through the treatment of disease only. Rather, health should be addressed on a biological, physical, psychological, social, and spiritual continuum. Palliative care addresses an often-overlooked aspect of the patient experience, which is symptom management of their chronic illnesses. Health care professionals tend to treat acute episodes of

Key importance of the palliative care approach in nursing is for it to be responsive, rather than