Initiating palliative care in the emergency department.
BACKGROUND
In 2006, nearly a quarter of a million patients either arrived dead or died in the Emergency Department (ED). The role of palliative care (PC) in the ED is not well defined, and education of medical students and residents in the area is sparse.


OBJECTIVE
We use an illustrative case to discuss important concepts in PC for the emergency physician (EP). The reader should be able to define hospice and PC, recognize its importance in the practice of Emergency Medicine, and understand the benefits PC has for the patient, the patient's family and caregivers, and the health care system as a whole.


CONCLUSIONS
PC excels at treating pain and addressing end-of-life issues. Families and caregivers of patients benefit from PC in terms of improved personal quality of life after the patient's death. PC is more cost-effective than traditional medical care.


CONCLUSIONS
Research on PC in the ED is sparse but it is a growing need, and the EP will need to become proficient in the delivery of PC in the ED.
Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, USA.
Travis E
TE
DeVader
Robert
R
Albrecht
Mark
M
Reiter
D016223:Advance Directives; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000191:economics; D010347:Patient Care Planning