It is notoriously difficult to predict when death will occur. Symptoms and signs of death approaching include: day-by-day deterioration, gaunt appearance and profound weakness—the patient needs assistance with all care, and may be bed-bound; difficulty swallowing medicines; reduced intake of food and fluids and drowsiness or reduced cognition. The patient is often no longer able to co-operate with carers. This article aims to give GPs in training a framework with which to manage the last 48 hours of life for patients dying at home.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BackI.Palliative Medicine Handbook BPM Books. Available from: book.pallcare.info/ [date last accessed 14.02.2008]
2.
DickmanA.SchneiderJ.VargaJ.The Syringe Driver: Continuous Subcutaneous Infusions in Palliative Care2nd Edition (2005) Oxford: Oxford University Press
3.
DoyleD.WoodruffR.The IAHPC Manual of Palliative Care2nd Edition (2004) IAHPC Press, Houston, Texas. Available from: www.hospicecare.com/manual/IAHPCmanual.htm [date last accessed 14.02.2008]
4.
Palliative Care Matters. Available from: www.pallcare.info [date last accessed 14.02.2008]
5.
WatsonM.LucasC.HoyA.Oxford Handbook of Palliative Care (2005) Oxford: Oxford University Press
6.
WatsonM.O'ReillyK.SimonC.Oxford GP Library: Pain and palliation (2008) Oxford: Oxford University Press
7.
WoodruffR.Palliative Medicine 4th edition (2004) Oxford: Oxford University Press
