end-of-life


end of life

Cardiac pacing
noun The point at which a pacemaker signals a need for replacement, as its battery is nearing depletion.
 
Medspeak
adjective Referring to a final period (hours, days, weeks, months) in a person’s life, in which it is medically obvious that death is imminent or a terminal moribund state cannot be prevented. As in, end-of-life care.
End-of-life care—making decisions 
Initiate discussion: 
• Establish supportive doctor-patient relationship;
• Designate surrogate decision maker;
• Identify patient’s general preferences.
Clarify prognosis: 
• Keep message clear, avoid misunderstanding;
• Acknowledge prognostic limitations.
Identify end-of-life goals: 
• Determine if preferences have changed;
• Identify individual priorities.
Develop treatment plan: 
• Help patient understand treatment options;
• Discuss resuscitation;
• Discuss palliative care.

end-of-life

Cardiac pacing noun The point at which a pacemaker signals need for replacement, as its battery is nearing depletion Medtalk adjective Referring to a final period–hrs, days, wks, months in a person's life in which it is medically obvious that death is imminent or a terminal moribund state cannot be prevented. See Hospice. End-of-life care–making decisions Initiate discussion • Establish supportive doctor-Pt relationship • Designate surrogate decision maker • Identify Pt's general preferences Clarify prognosis • Keep message clear, avoid misunderstanding • Acknowledge prognostic limitations Identify end of life goals • Determine if preferences have changed • Identify individual priorities Develop treatment plan • Help Pt understand treatment options • Discuss resuscitation • Discuss palliative care (RB Balaban, Harvard U, in Qual Life Matters 9,10/00)