SHM's Clinical Quick Talks-Palliative Care

Pdf Summary

Palliative care is a collaborative and comprehensive approach to treating the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of patients and families dealing with serious diseases. It is an extra layer of support that can be provided simultaneously with other medical treatments, including curative intent. Palliative care is also appropriate at any stage of illness, not just at end-of-life.<br /><br />The goals of palliative care are to improve the quality of life for patients with debilitating or terminal illnesses, prevent and relieve suffering through early identification and treatment of distressing symptoms, and deliver care through an interdisciplinary team.<br /><br />Patients who may benefit from a palliative care consultation include those with a poor prognosis, chronic illness, frequent admissions, difficult-to-control physical or psychological symptoms, complex care requirements, or limited social support. Palliative care can help manage symptoms such as pain, dyspnea, fatigue, nausea, and depression, using evidence-based treatment options.<br /><br />Leading a family meeting for a patient's palliative care involves being knowledgeable about the patient and their condition, creating a patient-centered setting, and discussing medical facts and options for care. It is important to document the conversation and discuss it with the healthcare team.<br /><br />When patients and families decide to focus on comfort care, a comfort care or palliative order set can be adopted. This involves discontinuing medications and tests that do not contribute to comfort, allowing for liberalized diets, minimizing vital signs and alarms, and actively treating pain, anxiety, constipation, and terminal secretions.<br /><br />Legal terms relevant to palliative care include advanced directives (such as do not resuscitate orders), health care power of attorney, and living wills. Competency and capacity are legal terms that refer to a patient's ability to make decisions for themselves.<br /><br />Overall, palliative care is not synonymous with hospice care and can be provided along with curative therapy to manage symptoms and support patients and families.

Asset Subtitle

Leigh Vaughn

Keywords

palliative care

collaborative approach

comprehensive approach

physical needs

psychosocial needs

spiritual needs

serious diseases

extra layer of support

medical treatments

curative intent