For many decades, Americans showed a preference for delaying death through a technological imperative that often created challenges for nurses in caring for dying patients and their families. Because of their vast knowledge of health and healing, and their proximity to patients' bedsides, nurses are often well positioned to advocate for healthcare reform and legislation to improve end-of-life care. This article provides an overview of the social, economic, and political factors that are shaping end-of-life care in the United States. First, historical perspectives on end-of-life care are presented to enhance understanding of why some clinicians and patients seem to resist change to current practices. Second, end of care issues related to advanced technology utilization, societal expectations of care, clinical practices, financial incentives, palliative care services, and policy reforms are discussed. Finally, future recommendations are provided to encourage nurses and other healthcare providers to improve care for individuals facing end-of-life care decisions.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1527154416642664 | DOI Listing |
Ann Am Thorac Soc
January 2025
Royal Women's Hospital, Newborn Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
The effect of moderate-late preterm (MLP; 32 to 36 completed weeks' gestation) birth on childhood respiratory health is unclear. To assess the effect of being born MLP, compared with being born at term (≥37 completed weeks' gestation), on lung function and respiratory morbidity at 9-10 years of age. Prospective cohort of children born MLP or at term at the Royal Women's Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDeath Stud
January 2025
School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford, UK.
Medical and pharmacological advancements have influenced the ability to treat acutely ill neonates. However, complications of prematurity mean that death is unpreventable in some cases. The aim of this study was to explore parents' lived experiences of end of life care and their perceptions of support needs during and following the death of their baby in neonatal intensive care units in the United Kingdom.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGeriatr Psychol Neuropsychiatr Vieil
December 2024
Service de médecine gériatrique Charles-Nicolle, CHU, Rouen, France, Unirouen, Inserm U1096, Université Normandie, Rouen, France.
A quarter of nursing home residents dies in hospital. Few data are available about early in-hospital deaths of nursing home residents. The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics of early in-hospital deaths of nursing home residents after an admission in emergency department and to identify factors associated with a decision of limitation of care in emergency department.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Transl Gastroenterol
January 2025
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Background And Aims: Abdominal bloating is a difficult symptom to treat. Hypnotherapy and diaphragmatic intervention have separately shown benefit on bloating in prior work but have not been united into a single intervention. We aimed to obtain data on the potential therapeutic impact of a novel audio-recorded bloating treatment for bloating integrating hypnosis and diaphragmatic breathing, with proposed synergistic effect.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPalliat Med
January 2025
Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.
Background: Delirium is common and distressing for hospice in-patients. Hospital-based research shows delirium may be prevented by targeting its risk factors. Many preventative strategies address patients' fundamental care needs.
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