Lee Eun Kyung, Jeong Hyae Yeong, Kim Kyung Won
Hospice Palliative Center, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Department of Nursing, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Uijeongbu, Korea.
J Hosp Palliat Care. 2021 Sep 1;24(3):194-197. doi: 10.14475/jhpc.2021.24.3.194.
End-of-life assessments aim to help dying patients and their families plan clinical interventions in advance and prepare them for a peaceful end of life, in which the patient accepts life and death, and the family accepts the patient's departure. It is important to assess whether death is imminent within a few days, because critical hospice care is provided intensively during that period. The following five changes constitute objective evidence of the end of life: diminished daily living performance, decreased food intake, changes in consciousness and increased sleep quantity, worsening of respiratory distress, and end-stage delirium. As subjective evidence, it is suggested that sensitive perceptions of experienced nurses and the feelings of family members caring for patients should also be considered. When notifying a patient or family members that the end of life is approaching, the members of the multidisciplinary hospice team must communicate with each other, share accurate information, and provide consistent explanations. They must also listen to non-verbal communication in an empathic and supportive manner.
临终评估旨在帮助临终患者及其家属提前规划临床干预措施，并让他们为安详离世做好准备，在此过程中患者接受生死，家属接受患者的离去。评估患者是否在几天内即将死亡很重要，因为在此期间会密集提供关键的临终关怀。以下五项变化构成了生命终结的客观证据：日常生活能力下降、食物摄入量减少、意识改变和睡眠时间增加、呼吸窘迫加重以及临终谵妄。作为主观证据，还建议考虑经验丰富的护士的敏锐感知以及照顾患者的家属的感受。当告知患者或家属生命即将结束时，多学科临终关怀团队的成员必须相互沟通，分享准确信息，并提供一致的解释。他们还必须以共情和支持的方式倾听非语言交流。
