Article: Dog handlers' experiences of therapy dogs' impact on life near death for persons with dementia

Swedish research looking at the positive impact the interaction between dogs and individuals with dementia towards the end of life can bring.

Swall, A. et al. 2019.  Dog handlers' experiences of therapy dogs' impact on life near death for persons with dementia.  International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 25 (2) p 65 - 68.

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Article: Palliative care in dementia: a fragmented pathway

This paper describes the Admiral Nurse case management approach to palliative care by benchmarking its practice against the European Association of Palliative Care white paper recommendations for palliative care in dementia.

Harrison Dening et al.  2019.  Palliative care in dementia: a fragmented pathway.  International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 585 - 588.

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Article: Understanding care when cure is not likely for young adults who face cancer

Three cancer centres and associated palliative care services across England were the setting for this research which comprised of interviews and six workshops. 3 people aged 16 - 24 years and 30 people aged 25 - 40 years with a prognosis of under 12 months took part in this study along with family members and 47 healthcare professionals.   The data revealed seven key themes which included loss of control; maintenance of normal life; support for families and importance of language chosen by professionals.  The authors conclude current care towards end of life for young people and families doesn't meet needs and expectations.

Kenten, C. 2019.  Understanding care when cure is not likely for young adults who face cancer: a realistic analysis of data from patients, families and healthcare professionals.  BMJ, online

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Report: A reflective group activity supports healthcare staff in England

Working in healthcare can be demanding and stressful.  The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) conducted this research looking at the effective of Schwartz Rounds - a forum for clinical and non clinical teams to share stories and discuss the emotional impact of delivering healthcare.  The research showed that overtime staff participating in the sessions felt less stressed and isolated and more empathetic when dealing with patients and colleagues. It offers one of the few evidence based interventions that work at both organisational and person centred level.

Read more here

eHospice: New study calls for improvements in out of hours palliative care

From eHospice, a piece discussing the new research by Marie Curie and the RCGP calling for improvements in out of hours palliative care.  Using the NHS  National Reporting and Learning System, the research explored the nature and causes of unsafe care delivered to patients receiving palliative care from primary care services.  A total of 1072 patient safety incident reports were identified.  A number of recommendations are made.

View eHospice pages here

For a copy of the research - contact the library. 

Article: What do patients and family-caregivers value from hospice care?

It is not known what attributes of care are valued the most by those who experience hospice services.  This systematic review identified 34 studies that had addressed some of these questions.  The findings provided new insights beyond symptom management and health outcomes.  Of particular importance was the social value placed on services that are usually only provided by hospices, such as highly individualised care, befriending, social support meaningful occupation and bereavement support.

Hughes, N. M. et al. 2019. What do patients and family-caregivers value from hospice care?  A systematic mixed studies review.  BMC Palliative Care

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Article: Delirium management by palliative medicine specialists

Delirium is common in palliative care.  A 21 question online anonymous survey was emailed to APPM members in current clinical practice (n=859) asking about delirium assessment, management and research priorities.  The response rate was 39%.  Delirium guidelines were used by some: 42% used local guidelines but 38% used none.  The survey showed delirium screening on admission is suboptimal, with most specialists using antipsychotics in combination with non-pharmacological interventions.  More support is required for family members along with clinical trials in view of the variation in management.

Boland, J. W. 2019. Delirium management by palliative medicine specialists: a survey from the association for palliative medicine of Great Britain and Ireland.  BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care,  March 2019 - online p 1-8.

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Guidance: Care after death - registered nurse verification of death

This guidance is an update to the original 2015 guidance and is aimed at providing greater clarity on the legal requirements for Registered Nurses about the verification of expected deaths.  The two part resource also includes new competencies to support training to carry this very important aspect of care.

Hospice UK, 2019.  Care after death: registered nurses verification of death.
  
Access via the Hospice UK pages  or contact the library for a copy.

Guidance: Care Committed To Me

This report by Hospice UK focuses on 3 specific groups: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people, those experiencing homelessness, and Gypsies and Travellers.  It discusses how commissioners, service providers and care staff can successfully deliver high quality, personalised care to people from these groups by taking proactive measures to overcome many of the challenges that prevent them receiving the care they need.

Hospice UK, December 2018.  Care Committed to Me.  Hospice UK.
  
Access via the Hospice UK pages  or contact the library for a copy.

Article: The power of two simple questions - enhancing patient centred care

The authors of this article devised this simple spiritual care model for the acute settings .  They explain how it works and enhances person-centred practice.  It consists of two simple questions: what is most important to you now? and how can we help?  Examples are provided how it can be used throughout a busy care shift.

Ross, L. & McSherry W. 2018. The power of two simple questions.  Nursing Standard, 33 (9) p 79 - 80.

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Article: Mapping the scope of occupational therapy practice in palliative care

The role of the occupational therapy in palliative care service delivery has evolved over several decades, with the role more established in some countries than others.  A survey was hosted on the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) web site to scope the extent of occupational therapy interventions in palliative care.  237 replies were received.  The study provided evidence of a consistency of practice, with an emphasis on physical, functional, psychological and social aspects of care.  There was limited involvement in service development, leadership and research.

Eva, G. & Morgan, D. 2018. Mapping the scope of occupational therapy practice in palliative care: A European Association for Palliative Care cross-sectional survey.  Palliative Medicine, 32 (5) p 960-968.

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Article: Engaging leadership - a better approach to leading a team?

This article explains how a specific approach to leadership, called Engaging Transformational Leadership provides a framework for nursing leaders to reduce staff stress, improve teamwork, innovation and collaboration.

Alban-Metcalfe, J. & Alimo-Metcalfe, 2018.   Engaging leadership - a better approach to leading a team?  Nursing Times, 114 (6) p 21 - 24

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Article: Prevention and management of moisture-associated skin damage

The term moisture associated skin damage describes the spectrum of inflammatory damage that occurs in response to prolonged exposure of patents' skin to perspiration, urine, faces or wound exudate.  This article  describes the conditions this can cause and the nursing interventions required for their prevention and management.

Voegili, D. 2019.  Prevention and management of moisture-associated skin damage.  Nursing Standard, 34 (2) p 77 - 80

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Article: Palliative care in motor neurone disease: where are we now?

The article discusses the role of palliative care in motor neurone disease.  Guidance includes the telling of the diagnosis to the patient and family, assessment and management of symptoms, consideration of interventions, such as gastrostomy and ventilatory support and care at the end of life.

Oliver, David. 2019.  Palliative care in motor neurone disease: where are we now?  Palliative Care: Research and Treatment, p 1- 14 online.

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Article: The rationale for making a short DVD in relation to the last offices procedure

Produced for student nurses who had previously reported feeling unprepared emotionally to undertake this task, the article reports on the effectiveness of using a DVD to prepare students for the death of a patient during their first clinical placement.

Parry, M. & Jones, B. 2019 The rationale for making a short DVD in relation to the last offices procedure.  International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 25 (2) p 91-94.

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Article: Improving the approach to future care planning in care homes

In the UK advance care planning (ACP) is an important element of palliative care and it's use is encouraged in nursing care homes.  This article reviews a document called the Personalised Advisory Care (PEACE) plan and reports on an audit carried out in one care home following it's use.  All of the residents (n=8) with a PEACE plan who died, did so in their preferred place of death, compared to 50% of residents (3 out of 6) without a PEACE who died in their preferred place of care.  The authors recommend future care planning, rather than ACP is required in nursing care homes along with further research investigating the outcomes and cost effectiveness.

Kinley, J. et al. 2018.  Improving the approach to future care planning in care homes.  International Journal of Palliative Care Nursing, 24 (12) p 576 - 579.

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