Speaker
Description
Purpose- The purpose of this project was to implement the End-of-Life Best Practice Guideline in a rural acute care hospital where palliative care needs were often identified late in the disease trajectory, limiting timely support for patients and families. With a predominantly older adult population over the age of 65, this gap highlighted an urgent need for more proactive palliative care approaches.
Background- This work began after recognizing a clear gap in practice. Patients were often identified too late for palliative care, and staff, patients, and families had limited access to education and supportive resources. The goal was to build capacity for change through a nurse-led approach focused on education, implementation, and sustainability.
Method- To better understand local needs, participation in a community of practice working group with senior leadership supported identification of key gaps in end-of-life care. Learning was also supported through collaboration with palliative care teams in other hospitals. Consultation with a death doula helped shape a more holistic, person- and family-centered approach. These experiences guided the development of a palliative care resource booklet that includes physical, emotional, spiritual, and family-focused information. A Palliative Care Resource Nurse role was created to support staff and sustain practice changes. Education was strengthened through LEAP training and a mandatory evidence-informed PowerPoint based on end-of-life best practices for all clinical staff.
Evaluation- These initiatives increased awareness, promoted consistency in care, and built unit capacity in palliative and end-of-life care. Validated tools, including the Palliative Performance Scale and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), were promoted to support consistent assessment practices.
Conclusion- Early evaluation shows improved staff engagement, increased use of palliative care resources, and a shift toward more timely and patient-centered end-of-life care. This work demonstrates how nurse-led collaboration can build capacity for meaningful and sustainable change in rural palliative care.
What RNAO BPG or tool/toolkit is your abstract related to?
End-of-Life Care During The Last Days and Hours
Author(s) Credentials and Title
Carissa Auger, Registered Practical Nurse
| Organization Name | Hopital Glengarry Memorial Hospital |
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