Articles: palliative-care.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jan 2023
Palliative care of COVID-19 patients with Do Not Resuscitate Status in Underrepresented Minorities.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on palliative care intervention (PCIs) in patients with do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status remains uncertain. ⋯ Do-not-resuscitate patients with COVID-19 had better general health and higher employment status than 'typical' DNR patients, but lower chances to be seen by the palliative care team. This study raises a question of the applicability of the current palliative care model in addressing the needs of DNR patients with COVID-19 during the pandemic.
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The end-of-life (EOL) experience in the intensive care unit (ICU) is emotionally challenging, and there are opportunities for improvement. The 3 Wishes Program (3WP) promotes the dignity of dying patients and their families by eliciting and implementing wishes at the EOL. ⋯ The 3WP is a low-cost intervention that may be a feasible strategy for improving the EOL experience.
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Understanding patient and caregiver experience is key to providing person-centered care. The palliative care approach includes holistic assessment and whole-person care at the end of life, that also involves the patient's family and loved ones. The aim of this study was to describe the way that family caregivers experienced patients' deaths during their loved ones' last hospital admission, comparing inpatient palliative care (PCU) and non-palliative care (Non-PCU) units. ⋯ PCU provides a person-centered approach to care at the end of life, optimizing treatment for patients with advanced disease, ensuring effective communication, establishing a satisfactory professional relationship with both patients and their loved ones, and facilitating the farewell process for family caregivers.