• Kevin Brazil, Carrie McAiney, Michelle Caron-O'Brien, Mary Lou Kelley, Paul O'Krafka, and Cathy Sturdy-Smith.
• Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University and St. Joseph's Health System Research Network, Hamilton, Canada.
• J Palliat Care. 2004 Jan 1;20(2):85-92.

AbstractThe goal of this project was to provide guidance on what constitutes quality end-of-life care in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Seventy-nine direct care providers from six LTC facilities participated in 12 focus groups. The focus group discussions examined what made the difference between a "good" death and a "bad" death, and what changes in LTC would improve the care of dying residents. Analyses of the focus group data revealed six themes that contribute to quality end-of-life care in LTC facilities: responding to resident needs, creating a homelike environment, supports for families, providing quality care processes, recognizing death as a significant event, and having sufficient institutional resources. These findings challenge policy makers and providers to consider how to normalize life and death in LTC facilities.

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