Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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Emergency nurses work in a clinical area where treatment measures usually are provided quickly, and they have little time to establish relationships. In addition to performing life-saving interventions, emergency nurses provide care for patients who are dying. Little is known about the experiences of emergency nurses who care for patients who die in the emergency department in the Canadian context. ⋯ Caring for adults who die in the emergency department is a difficult and challenging aspect of the emergency nursing role. Emergency nurses believed they did their best to provide end-of-life care interventions, which brought a sense of professional satisfaction. Recommended future interventions include advocating for ED design and physical layout to support compassionate end-of-life care, provision of policies and training to support families and family presence, and support of nursing staff.
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The aging population and the growing number of home hospice patients have resulted in increased utilization of emergency departments. This situation poses a clinical challenge to the ED staff in determining when lifesaving treatment is indicated and when end of life care begins. ⋯ The emergency department became better equipped to handle end of life care, providing adequate pain management, optimal comfort measures, and emotional support with respect and dignity for the dying patient and family. The practices implemented resulted in improved patient care, increased patient satisfaction, and reduced overall hospital admissions.