A Very Good Death: Measuring Quality of Dying in End-Stage Renal Disease

Abstract

A case is presented of an exceptionally good death after discontinuation of dialysis, and the authors trace the evolution of their attempts at measuring quality of dying in patients with end-stage renal disease. The Dialysis Quality of Dying Apgar is based on the pediatric tool for measuring the condition of newborn babies. Previous research with termination of dialysis has revealed that staff, patients, and families characterize a good death as being pain-free, peaceful, and brief. The quality of dying tool has corresponding domains to which it adds advance care planning and nonpain symptoms. Quantification of patient deaths combined with descriptive narratives can be used to establish benchmarks for the provision of terminal care. Very good deaths need to be recognized and valued as goals for palliative medicine.