Ebook: Lanarkshire Palliative Care

NHS Lothian, 2012. - 82 р.
Palliative care
aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with any life limiting illness.
provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms.
integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care.
offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death.
offers a support system to help the family cope during the patient's illness and in their own bereavement.
uses a team approach to address the needs of patients and their families.
affirms life and regards dying as a normal process.
intends neither to hasten or postpone death.
is relevant in combination with many other treatments directed at the underlying illness.
Palliative care is part of the care delivered by a wide range of health and social care professionals working in the community, in care homes and in hospitals. Some patients with more complex problems will benefit from advice, assessment or care from a palliative care specialist. Details of how to access local specialist services are included in the Guidelines and are available online.
These Guidelines reflect a consensus of opinion about good practice in the management of adults with a life limiting illness. They have been developed by a multidisciplinary group of professionals working in the community, hospitals and specialist palliative care services and approved by local Formulary and Clinical Policy Committees. There is a separate section on the website covering paediatric palliative care.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the text and that evidence informed information has been included. Adherence to guideline ecommendations will not ensure a successful outcome in every case. It is the responsibility of all professionals to exercise clinical judgement in the management of individual patients. Palliative care specialists occasionally use or recommend other drugs, doses or drug combinations than those given here.