Continuing Professional Development: Pre-hospital management of end-of-life care

After completing this module the paramedic will be able to:

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Planning the right way to die has been on the agenda in the healthcare system for some time. Choice at the end of life is important. End-of-life care can, like a chronic condition, have an acute flare and thus an element of unpredictability on top of a known discourse of a disease can occur. Whenever rapid deterioration occurs or an inability to cope, help will often be sought. There are teams that can support in a timely manner, but at times of crisis (including emotional crisis of the family), the 999 system can be activated for help. The paramedic arrives and is often faced with an unknown background and has to make acute decisions about how the patient should be cared for.

Palliative care is part of supportive care. Palliative care is the active holistic care of patients with advanced progressive illness. Management of pain and other symptoms and provision of psychological, social and spiritual support is paramount. The goal of palliative care is achievement of the best quality of life for patients and their families. Many aspects of palliative care are also applicable earlier in the course of the illness in conjunction with other treatments (NICE, 2011).