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End of Life Online Curriculum - Modules
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Transition to Death |
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Supporting the Patient's Family as Death Approaches
Privacy/Dignity |
| Provide Privacy and Foster Dignity |
Provide privacy and time with the patient. This is especially challenging
when the patient is in the ICU or in a semi-private surroundings.
Consider the following strategies to foster privacy and dignity:
- Draw the curtains to provide a private space.
- Consider discontinuing intrusive and futile monitoring (DC
pulse oximetry, IV fluids, telemetry, etc.).
- Write orders to allow loved ones to visit 24/7 or stay at the
facility (as possible).
- Use gentle questioning to identify culturally driven family
preferences and rituals and to avoid cultural faux pas.
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| Source: VJ Periyakoil, MD
and Betty Wexler, RN, CNS |
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©End
of Life Curriculum Project, a joint project of the US Veterans Administration
and SUMMIT,
Stanford University Medical School.
Funded by a grant to the Veterans
Administration Nationwide Palliative Care Network by
the National Library of Medicine. VJ Periyakoil, MD, Director.
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