Palliative care on the acute medical unit

• Autores: Simon Pennell, Andrew Jenks
• Localización: Medicine, ISSN-e 1357-3039, Vol. 45, Nº. 2, 2017, págs. 65-67
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The acute medical unit is a busy environment, and nowhere else in the acute hospital may the contrast between providing life-saving treatment and care for a dying patient be so candidly seen. As Professor David Clark says, ‘A key part of the business of hospitals is death’. The care of dying patients in this setting is vitally important in providing a good and lasting experience for families and staff, rather than a bad one. It is vital that all healthcare professionals are competent and confident in recognizing patients who may be dying or have an uncertain recovery. Healthcare professionals must be able to assess the palliative care needs of these patients and their families, and communicate effectively and empathically. Care must be personalized and compassionate.