title: Care of the patient close to death.
abstract: The recognition that the patient is close to death is essential and usually possible. Assessment must be meticulous, goals clearly articulated, and strategies for symptom relief and comprehensive care defined and monitored. Death should not be obstructed by futile measures. The wish of a patient to be allowed to die needs to be respected, as well as a patient's anguish in the face of imminent and unwanted death. The final phase of life (hours or days) should not be seen as a time of treatment failure, but as a time for completion of tasks in peace and dignity, even in the mist of weakness and profound surrender.
authors.affiliation: Sydney Institute of Palliative Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Lickiss
authors.forename: N F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Hacker
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012297:Right to Die; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D004232:Diuretics; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives