Comfort Care
Comfort Care also known as Palliative Therapy is designed to relieve the symptoms of a patient who is at the end of his or her life. Only patients who are considered terminal are eligible for this type of treatment, and they must have the DNR (DO Not Resituate) order in place.
Palliative Care originated in Great Brittain in the early 60s and then became part of Medicare in 1982 here within the borders of the United States. The primary goal is to keep the patient in comfort as the end of life nears. As the end nears these patients will be non-responsive for the most part and this is due to the condition as well as the high strength pain medications.
The patient is kept comfortable but no invasive live sustaining measures are used. Oxygen can be given to the patient as well as medicines for pain control, but not much else. Blood Pressure, pulse, and temperature are taken every few hours. The pulse and blood pressure will elevate when the patient is in distress. Food and water are withheld, as they are life sustaining as is ventilators, and breathing treatments.
The Patient is rolled every few hours for comfort and to prevent bedsores. A Foley and/ or adult diapers are used to minimize bed changes and undue stress to the patient. Mouth care is done as well to prevent a dry mouth, as saliva is not being produced.
Hospice is the organization that comes in once a patient is on comfort care. Once Hospice is directing the care blood tests, feeding tubes, blood work is no longer an option as these are considered to be life sustaining. A Hospice nurse will take the vitals, turn the patient, give him or her medicines, and provide routine care.
As a health care professional I have taken care of patients who are on comfort care, as a daughter I know first hand knowledge of a parent on this type of care. It is far harder having the loved one in the bed. As hard as it was, I knew to expect, and I did not have any questions at all.
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Published by AmyBrowne
Amy has firsthand knowledge about heart attacks and works on a daily basis to prevent further heart attacks for herself and those around her. This single mom's first hand knowledge includes Rheumatism, Asthm... View profile
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