how care should be delivered at the end of life Ten elements are required for safe and high-quality end-of-life care. Following is a summary of what each element means for you as a patient, and for families, carers and consumers. components of care patient-centred communication and You are always treated with dignity, respect shared decision making and compassion. Clinicians ask you, and your family and carers You are supported to make decisions about about what is important in your life and your wishes your care to the extent that you want to. for your future care. When clinicians communicate with you, they try to As much as possible, these wishes are taken understand your wishes and preferences about your into account when care is provided. care at the end of life. You have the right to refuse medical treatments. Clinicians talk to you openly, honestly and in a way that you can understand about your medical situation Clinicians avoid providing treatments that and care. will not help. You have the opportunity to have multiple You continue to receive care that keeps you conversations with clinicians about your care comfortable and fits with your wishes, even after at the end of life. other treatment stops. teamwork and use of triggers to coordination of care help recognise patients Your clinicians work together as a team so that approaching the end of life you get the best possible care. Clinicians look at your situation and condition. You, and your family, carers and substitute Based on this, they may talk to you about decision-maker are part of the team for your care. end-of-life care. You are told about who is responsible for leading Having early and repeated conversations about and coordinating your care, and the roles and end-of-life care is useful; it does not necessarily responsibilities of other team members. mean that you will die soon. The clinicians in hospital work with the people who You can start to talk to your family and carers look after you in the community, such as your GP. about your wishes for your end of life before you are in hospital.
how care should be delivered at the end of life Ten elements are required for safe and high-quality end-of-life care. Following is a summary of what each element means for you as a patient, and for families, carers and consumers. patient-centred communication and shared decision making You are supported to make decisions about your care to the extent that you want to. When clinicians communicate with you, they try to understand your wishes and preferences about your care at the end of life. Clinicians talk to you openly, honestly and in a way that you can understand about your medical situation and care. You have the opportunity to have multiple conversations with clinicians about your care at the end of life. teamwork and coordination of care Your clinicians work together as a team so that you get the best possible care. You, and your family, carers and substitute decision-maker are part of the team for your care. You are told about who is responsible for leading and coordinating your care, and the roles and responsibilities of other team members. The clinicians in hospital work with the people who look after you in the community, such as your GP. components of care You are always treated with dignity, respect and compassion. Clinicians ask you, and your family and carers about what is important in your life and your wishes for your future care. As much as possible, these wishes are taken into account when care is provided. You have the right to refuse medical treatments. Clinicians avoid providing treatments that will not help. You continue to receive care that keeps you comfortable and fits with your wishes, even after other treatment stops. use of triggers to help recognise patients approaching the end of life Clinicians look at your situation and condition. Based on this, they may talk to you about end-of-life care. Having early and repeated conversations about end-of-life care is useful; it does not necessarily mean that you will die soon. You can start to talk to your family and carers about your wishes for your end of life before you are in hospital.
How-should-care-be-delivered-at-the-end-of-life-information-for-patients-families-carers.docx