Health Care for the Future of the Aging Population-3

To go gently into the night is an option often withheld from patients in intensive care units (ICU’s). Palliative care measures, which include comfort care and end-of-life (EOL) therapies, are seldom included in the care plan of dying intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

The introduction of palliative measures represents a major change in the focus of care for most ICU health care providers. Examining the needs of patients and families in addition to expanding the care in ICU’s will be a part of this change.

The patients’ right for death with comfort and dignity in addition to the families’ right to education about the availability of such services are an integral part of introducing palliative care into ICU’s.

The mission and vision of many facilities aim to comfort, educate, and improve life. This is the basis of comfort care and EOL therapies. The goal to provide such care is a promise to the community; therefore, the introduction of palliative care into the ICU’s can only enhance the care delivery system.