ABSTRACT:
Typically, these measures are used to achieve comfort for the patient rapidly; diagnostic or therapeutic manoeuvres that might be appropriate for palliation in earlier stages of the illness are usually not considered in this context. Many elements of this approach can be used to ease patients’ distress in other phases of a life-threatening illness and in nonhospital settings, and they can also be applied to relieve symptoms in patients with less grave conditions. The goal of palliative care is to relieve the suffering of patients and their families by the comprehensive assessment and treatment of physical, psychosocial, and spiritual symptoms experienced by patients. As death approaches, a patient’s symptoms may require more aggressive palliation. As comfort measures intensify, so should the support provided to the dying patient’s family. After the patient’s death, palliative care focuses primarily on bereavement and support of the family. The term “comfort care” is used here to describe a set of the most basic palliative care interventions that provide immediate relief of symptoms in a patient who is very close to death.