Assumtion and principles underlying standards for care of terminally ill

Introduction There is agreement that patients with life-threatening illnesses, including progressive malignancies, need appropriate therapy and treatment throughout the course of illness. At one stage, therapy is directed toward assessment and intervention in order to control and/or to cure such illness and alleviate associated symptoms. For some persons, however, the time comes when cure and remission are beyond current medical expertise. It is then that the intervention must shift to what is now often …

…of the terminally ill is now readily available. Institutions and organizations providing terminal care must orient and educate new staff and keep all staff informed about developments as they occur. 22. Good terminal care presupposes emotional investment on the part of the staff. Staff needs time and encouragement to develop and maintain relationships with patients and relatives. 23. Emotional commitment to good terminal care will often produce emotional exhaustion. Effective staff support systems must be readily available.