Even for the most experienced healthcare professional, managing the last few days of life can be difficult. This unique book provides guidelines for the care of the dying based on the Liverpool Integrated Care Pathway for the Dying Patient (LCP). Developed at a hospice, the information can be disseminated and adapted to fit different settings such as hospitals and nursing homes. The LCP is a multiprofessional document that incorporates evidence-based practice and appropriate guidelines related to care of the dying. It provides a template which describes the process of care which is generally delivered in a clinical situation and incorporates the expected outcome of care delivery. The LCP replaces all other documentation in this phase of care. Care pathways can provide a potentially powerful aid to professionals involved in palliative care. Basic principles of treatment are translated into daily practice, including bedside documentation systems, policies and procedures, standards of practice, continuing education and quality improvement programmes. This book also includes chapters on symptom control, ethical issues, communication skills, and spiritual care written by experts in the field which underpin the use of the LCP. Care of the Dying Second Edition will prove invaluable to all healthcare professionals involved in the care of the dying patient, organisations and Trusts who want to develop demonstrable measures and outcomes of care.

About the Author
John Ellershaw is professor of palliative medicine at the University of Liverpool and director of Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute. He is also national deputy clinical director for end of life care.

Reviews
Review from previous edition This is a book that should be widely read. As its title suggests, it provides the tools to make the sort of changes that make a difference. It would be of value to most hospital doctors, general practitioners in the UK and contains much interest for Europe and North America GPs and is packed with useful information . . . I would highly recommend this book to all those professionals involved in looking after dying patients. * European Journal of Cancer Care, 13 *
This book deserves to be widely read and will hopefully lead to the more widespread use of the Pathway, or locally adapted versions of it, both within and without specialist palliative care units. * IAHPC Website *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199550838
Author John Ellershaw
Format Paperback
Page Count 284
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 428g
Dimensions(mm) 233mm * 153mm * 22mm