What Types of Patients Can Be Referred for Palliative Care Services?

Discussion Pediatric pallative care (PPC) is care for patients who have life-threatening conditions or need end of life care. The main stakeholders receiving PPC are the patients and all members of the family which may include siblings, grandparents and other members. Other stakeholders are the medical care team including ancillary staff at the hospital and other venues where the patient receives care. PPC is provided by an interdisciplinary team including physicians, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, psychologists, chaplains/faith workers and others who assist families in four main areas: “…relieve suffering, improve quality of life, facilitate informed decision-making and assist in care coordination between clinicians and across sites of care.” PPC providers can help provide treatment to relieve suffering including management of pain, nausea and emesis, pruritis, agitation, anxiety, depression, delirium, seizures, constipation, sleep disturbances, and dyspnea. Providers can also improve quality of life through frank and open discussions among stakeholders to provide support, relieve family conflict and distress and streamline care that supports the decisions made in a culturally sensitive manner. PPC providers facilitate informed decision-making through frank and compassionate communication regarding treatment options, goals of care, advanced planning, and education of end of life trajectory. Assisting with communication among stakeholders is often key...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news