Publication details
Paliativní péče v intenzivní medicíně
| Title in English | Palliative care in intensive care medicine |
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| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2022 |
| Type | Chapter of a book |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
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| Description | The basic principle of intensive care medicine is to support the vital functions of the patient in critical condition with the aim of saving life, reducing morbidity including quality of life. However, at some point during the patient's stay in the intensive care (IC) environment, this goal may no longer be realistic, and the organ support provided becomes inadequate and only prolongs the patient's suffering and dying. Patient deaths in intensive care are becoming more frequent, especially after the end of organ support. The processes and decision-making at this so-called end of life are very complex and require team decision-making with an emphasis on communication. All activities and communication during this period should be focused on the patient and their loved ones. However, palliative care must not be narrowed down to decisions about the transition to end-of-life care. It is applicable throughout the whole course of IP post-treatment. Palliative care is a natural and quite integral part of modern IP care delivery. Its application from the patient's admission fits in with the current concept of viewing palliative care as a general approach aimed at symptom relief, improving quality of life by addressing the bio-psycho-social-spiritual needs of the patient and their family. The fundamental characteristic and goal of palliative care in IP is to improve quality of life, emphasizing symptom control highlighted in the end-of-life period and ensuring dying with dignity. There are also varying degrees of use and application of intensive and palliative care approaches during the IP stay. |