Keywords

nursing, palliative care, quality of healthcare, terminally ill

 

Authors

  1. Lynch, Maureen MS, APRN, BC, PCM, AOCN
  2. Dahlin, Constance M. MSN, APRN, BC, PCM

Abstract

The National Consensus Project Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care and the National Quality Forum Preferred Practices for Palliative and Hospice Care Quality Report provide a framework for the delivery of high-quality palliative care in all settings. The purpose of this article is to illustrate how nurses can use these documents to promote optimal end-of-life care. Because care of imminently dying patients is an integral part of palliative nursing practice, the preferred practices identified for this domain of care are highlighted here.