Which of the following statements best reflects the outcome of communicating about death with a dying person?

Table of Contents Show

Consumer outcome
Organisation statement
Assessment against this Standard

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Consumer outcome

(1) I am a partner in ongoing assessment and planning that helps me get the care and services I need for my health and well-being.

Organisation statement

(2) The organisation undertakes initial and ongoing assessment and planning for care and services in partnership with the consumer. Assessment and planning has a focus on optimising health and well-being in accordance with the consumer’s needs, goals and preferences.

Assessment against this Standard

For each of the requirements, organisations need to demonstrate that they:

understand the requirement
apply the requirement, and this is clear in the way they provide care and services
monitor how they are applying the requirement and the outcomes they achieve
review outcomes and adjust their practices based on these reviews to keep improving.

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A Physician's Guide to Talking AboutEnd-of-Life Care

Step 1. Initiating discussion
•	Establish a supportive relationship with patient and family.
•	Appoint a surrogate decision maker.
•	Elicit general thoughts about end-of-life preferences. Gobeyond stock phrases with probing questions.
Step 2. Clarifying prognosis
•	Be direct, yet caring.
•	Be truthful, but sustain spirit.
•	Use simple everyday language.
Step 3. Identifying end-of-life goals
•	Facilitate open discussion about desired medical care and remaining life goals.
•	Recognize that as death nears, most patients share similar goals; maximizing time with family and friends, avoiding hospitalization and unnecessary procedures, maintaining functionality, and minimizing pain.
Step 4. Developing a treatment plan
•	Provide guidance in understanding medical options.
•	Make recommendations regarding appropriate treatment.
•	Clarify resuscitation orders.
•	Initiate timely palliative care, when appropriate.