Clinical Practice Guideline for Care in the Last Days of Life

• Published in: Han'guk Hosup'isu Wanhwa Uiryo Hakhoe chi = The Korean journal of hospice and palliative care Vol. 23; no. 3; pp. 103 - 113
• Main Authors: Shin, Jinyoung, Chang, Yoon Jung, Park, So-Jung, Choi, Jin Young, Kim, Sun-Hyun, Choi, Youn Seon, Kim, Nam Hee, Yum, Ho-Kee, Nam, Eun Mi, Park, Myung Hee, Moon, Nayeon, Moon, Jee Youn, Kang, Hee-Taik, Kang, Jung Hun, Park, Jae-Min, Lee, Chung-Woo, Kim, Seon-Young, Lee, Eun Jeong, Koh, Su-Jin, Kim, Yonghwan, Cho, Myongjin Agnes, Song, Youhyun, Shim, Jae Yong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society for Hospice and Palliative Care 01.09.2020; 한국호스피스완화의료학회
• Subjects: Review; 방사선과학; Terminal care; Decision making; Education; Symptom assessment; Communication
• ISSN: 1229-1285; 2287-6189; 2765-3080
• DOI: 10.14475/kjhpc.2020.23.3.103

A clinical practice guideline for patients in the dying process in general wards and their families, developed through an evidence-based process, is presented herein. The purpose of this guideline is to enable a peaceful death based on an understanding of suitable management of patients' physical and mental symptoms, psychological support, appropriate decision-making, family care, and clearly-defined team roles. Although there are limits to the available evidence regarding medical issues in patients facing death, the final recommendations were determined from expert advice and feedback, considering values and preferences related to medical treatment, benefits and harms, and applicability in the real world. This guideline should be applied in a way that takes into account specific health care environments, including the resources of medical staff and differences in the available resources of each institution. This guideline can be used by all medical institutions in South Korea.