Using end of life care pathways for the last hours or days of life

Using end of life care pathways for the last hours or days of life.  BMJ 2012; 345: e7718

Boyd, K. & Murray, S.


http://www.bmj.com/highwire/filestream/614798/field_highwire_article_pdf/0/bmj.e7718

There is international consensus about the importance of achieving a “good death” that is comfortable, dignified, and person centred.1 But controversy persists about the benefits and hazards of using an integrated care pathway to support the care of people who are expected to die soon. National end of life care programmes, in the United Kingdom and internationally, endorse tools designed to improve standards of care for people dying in the community, care homes, and hospitals