BACKGROUND: In 2006, nearly a quarter of a million patients either arrived dead or died in the Emergency Department (ED). The role of palliative care (PC) in the ED is not well defined, and education of medical students and residents in the area is sparse. OBJECTIVES: We use an illustrative case to discuss important concepts in PC for the emergency physician (EP). The reader should be able to define hospice and PC, recognize its importance in the practice of Emergency Medicine, and understand the benefits PC has for the patient, the patient's family and caregivers, and the health care system as a whole. DISCUSSION: PC excels at treating pain and addressing end-of-life issues. Families and caregivers of patients benefit from PC in terms of improved personal quality of life after the patient's death. PC is more cost-effective than traditional medical care. CONCLUSION: Research on PC in the ED is sparse but it is a growing need, and the EP will need to become proficient in the delivery of PC in the ED.
BACKGROUND: In 2006, nearly a quarter of a million patients either arrived dead or died in the Emergency Department (ED). The role of palliative care (PC) in the ED is not well defined, and education of medical students and residents in the area is sparse. OBJECTIVES: We use an illustrative case to discuss important concepts in PC for the emergency physician (EP). The reader should be able to define hospice and PC, recognize its importance in the practice of Emergency Medicine, and understand the benefits PC has for the patient, the patient's family and caregivers, and the health care system as a whole. DISCUSSION: PC excels at treating pain and addressing end-of-life issues. Families and caregivers of patients benefit from PC in terms of improved personal quality of life after the patient's death. PC is more cost-effective than traditional medical care. CONCLUSION: Research on PC in the ED is sparse but it is a growing need, and the EP will need to become proficient in the delivery of PC in the ED.
Authors: Christopher R Carpenter; Don Melady; Craig Krausz; Jason Wagner; Brian Froelke; Jennifer Cordia; Derrick Lowery; Brent E Ruoff; Laurie E Byrne; Douglas K Miller; Lawrence Lewis Journal: Mo Med Date: 2017 Nov-Dec
Authors: Tracey J Weiland; Heather Lane; George A Jelinek; Claudia H Marck; Jennifer Weil; Mark Boughey; Jennifer Philip Journal: Int J Emerg Med Date: 2015-04-29
Authors: Jan Shoenberger; Sangeeta Lamba; Rebecca Goett; Paul DeSandre; Kate Aberger; Suzanne Bigelow; Todd Brandtman; Garrett K Chan; Robert Zalenski; David Wang; Mark Rosenberg; Karen Jubanyik Journal: AEM Educ Train Date: 2018-03-22