Critical Care Nurses' Perceptions of Obstacles, Supports, and Knowledge Needed in Providing Quality End-of-Life Care

Crump, Saundra K. PhD(c), MSN, RN, CHPN; Schaffer, Marjorie A. PhD, RN; Schulte, Evie BSN, RN, LAc

In response to critical care nurses' perceptions of increasing stress and conflict in difficult end-of-life (EOL) situations, the researchers conducted a study to identify perceived obstacles, supports, and knowledge needed to provide quality EOL care. 

The conclusions were as follows:

(1) Families and patients need clear, direct, and consistent information to make EOL decisions;

(2) Physician-related issues affect nurses' ability to provide quality EOL care;

(3) Critical care nurses need more knowledge, skill, and a sense of cultural competency to provide quality care; and

(4) Having properly completed advance directives can reduce confusion about the goals of care.

Recommendations for improving EOL care were made as a result of the study.

The study concluded that………..

• Nurses must strengthen their role as liaisons between the patient and other health professionals to promote quality EOL care.

• They need to advocate for the integration of a palliative care approach, such as the IPACC model into critical care settings.

• This model emphasizes comfort and decreasing suffering while improving the overall quality of life for the patient.

• Integrating Palliative and Critical Care requires education and a new way of thinking for all involved.

• Physicians, nurses, and organizational leaders need to collaborate with patients and families to improve EOL care.

• Nurses should lead the paradigm shift that supports IPACC.

 

The need of the hour is expertise and experience in Critical Care Nursing. To address such specialized training needs Medvarsity with Apollo Hospitals Group is bringing this Advanced Certificate Course in Critical Care Nursing to the Nurses.