PalliativeCareGuidelines:Lastdaysoflife|Version231©NHSLothianRe-issuedate:August2010Reviewdate:August2013LastdaysoflifeIntroductionWhenallreversiblecausesforthepatient’sdeteriorationhavebeenconsidered,themulti-disciplinaryteamagreesthepatientisdyingandchangesthegoalsofcare
Reversiblecausestoconsiderinclude:•dehydration•infection•opioidtoxicity•renalimpairment•hypercalcaemia•deliriumClinicalsignsmayinclude:PatientisbedboundIncreasinglydrowsyorsemicomatoseOnlyabletotakesipsoffluidDifficultyswallowingtabletsManagementofadyingpatientandtheirfamilyPlananddocumentcare;considerusingacarepathwayorchecklist
Team•Discussprognosis(patientisdying),goalsofcare(maintainingcomfort)andpreferredplaceofdeathwiththepatientand/orfamily
•Ifdischargehomeispossible,promptandcarefulplanningareneeded
ContactGP,dis