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PALLIATIVE CARE PROVISION IN END‐STAGE RENAL FAILURE
Author(s) -
Casey J.,
Hodson S.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
edtna‐erca journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.381
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 1755-6686
pISSN - 1019-083X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-6686.2003.tb00264.x
Subject(s) - palliative care , medicine , intensive care medicine , nursing , population , disease , dialysis , end stage renal disease , transplantation , curative care , end stage renal failure , terminally ill , ambulatory care , health care , environmental health , economics , economic growth
SUMMARY The increasingly aging dialysis population, recent advances in renal medicine and changes in family structure all contribute to a greater demand for palliative care. Renal nursing leadership is paramount to ensure the needs of the dying renal patient are met, within the limited resources available. At the heart of these competing needs lies the concept of a good death with renal nurses having a vital role to play in shaping the delivery of care both locally and nationally. As a chronic disease with no cure other than organ transplantation, dialysis becomes the maintenance of life and is described as a ‘complex therapeutic procedure used to correct a life‐threatening body dysfunction’ (1). The lack of curative ability can induce the description of ESRF as a terminal illness. The role of palliative care in ESRF patients should encompass physical, spiritual and psychological needs and should include a ‘holistic approach to the care of patients whose disease is incurable’ (2). Recommendations made by the Council of Europe have urged governments and the medical professions to give a higher priority to the provision of appropriate palliative care (3).