Care provided to patients with serious illness is currently
less than optimal.
Measures that can improve end-of-life care provided
dying patients and their families are:
Integrate palliative care with conventional medical care for all patients
with major illnesses including cancer, advanced heart failure, advanced
lung diseases, advanced renal disease, advanced liver disease and advanced
HIV.
Increase access to hospice care for all patients with a life expectancy
of six months or less.
Foster an inter-disciplinary approach to the care of all patients with
advanced illness. Interdisciplinary team members can include expert clinicians
from medicine, nursing, social work, chaplaincy, nutrition, and pharmacy.
Promote patient centered evaluation and treatment of illness, with a focus
on the central role of the family unit in decision-making.
Create opportunities for basic and advanced training in hospice and palliative
care for all health care professionals.
