This program is designed to increase the knowledge and skills of nurses who work within a palliative care framework when those in their care are terminally ill.
"How people die remains in the memories of those who live on"
Dame Cecily Saunders
Need for Program
As the population continues to age it is likely that more people will need palliative care. As this is a specialised area of health care, which, is rapidly evolving, it is essential that nurses have access to education that teaches the practical applications of the ‘evidence’ underpinning this specialty. As well, nurses are required to gain a minimum of 20 CPD hours relevant to their context of practice.
Aims and Objectives
The aim of this program is to offer registered nurses an opportunity to develop a range of practical skills for people who require palliative care. This program will look at the role of nurses in regard to assessment and management of physical as well as psychosocial distress related to palliative care. It will also consider nursing care after death has occurred.
At the conclusion of this program it is expected that the participants will be able to:
Know when a person is ready to commence
palliative care.
Be conversant with up-to-date clinical guidelines
relating to palliative care including the regulation of
PRN pain control for a terminally ill person.
Quickly complete and document a psychosocial
care plan based on a useful, easy-to-use genogram.
Discuss ethical considerations and be able to
translate these into meaningful, professional
practice.
Day 1
Day 2
Educators
8.30am - Registration and Refreshments
9.00am - A Palliative Approach to Patient Care
This introductory session will look at the underlying principles of palliative care and how these differ from more traditional models.
Brief historical overview.
Palliative care nursing – definitions, aims, principles.
Recent developments.
Settings for palliative care.
Specialist palliative care or just a palliative approach?
Resources for non-specialist health care professionals.
10.00am - Nursing Assessment: An Overview
Summary of nursing assessment essentials for meeting the physical and emotional needs of those who are terminally ill.
How does this form of assessment differ from an acute care assessment?
Functional status.
The family tree genogram.
Impeccable symptom assessment.
‘Break it down’ assessment tips.
10.30am - Morning Tea and Coffee
11:00am - Nursing Assessment And Family Involvement
Involving the patient’s family in the nursing assessment process, is this a good idea?
What are the benefits of structured family meetings?
Overview of a multidisciplinary family meeting.
A look at clinical guidelines for better care provision
11.45am - Home Sweet Home
Most people with diagnoses that have moved into the terminal stage prefer to be treated and:
What are the benefits of this approach for patients and for the palliative care service?
Common carer roles issues.
Resources for home carers.
Considerations for health professionals in a non-institutional setting.
Being prepared to be flexible when providing tailored care.
12.30pm - Lunch Break and Time to Network
1.00pm - Symptom Assessment and Management in Terminal Illness (Part One)
An overview of how symptoms are assessed and managed, including:
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation
Breathlessness
Fatigue
Oral problems
Anorexia
Other symptom considerations
3.00pm - Afternoon Tea and Coffee
3.30pm - Symptom Assessment and Management in Terminal Illness (Part Two)
Discussion of the psychological and spiritual aspects of nursing assessment activities.
4.15pm - Close of Day One
Start of Day Two
9.00am - Pain Assessment and Management
What are the best practice principles for managing cancer pain within a palliation model of care?
Summary of analgesia and the palliative care nurses’ role e.g. use of paracetamol, non-opioid, opioid and adjuvant medications and administration devices.
Which types of non-pharmacological techniques are helpful?
How effective and relevant are complementary therapies in reducing or extinguishing pain
10.30am - Morning Tea and Coffee
11.00am - Attending to the Special Needs of the Young or Elderly
Tips on helping children to grieve and confront death.
A review of some of the special needs of the elderly.
Communicating with those affected by mild to moderate levels of dementia.
Other challenges and concerns
11.45am - End Stage Symptom Management (Part One)
Symptoms in the terminal phase: an overview.
Nursing involvement and priorities as the patient’s death approaches
12.30pm Lunch and Time To Browse The Book Display
1.30pm - End Stage Symptom Management (Part Two)
A special focus on patients who are experiencing terminal secretions and terminal restlessness.
2.00pm - Ethical Considerations
Withdrawal of treatments.
Nutrition & hydration dilemmas.
Resuscitation decisions.
2.30pm - Care Of The Body After Death Has Occurred
How do we know death has occurred?
Institutional protocols.
When death occurs at home.
3.00pm - Afternoon Tea And Coffee
3.30pm - Doorways to Dying and Grieving With Dignity
Advanced care planning considerations.
The process of grief.
Issues for health professional.
4.15pm - Close of Program and Evaluation
Judy Zollo
After a 12 year high school teaching career, Judy began her nursing career almost 30 years ago. Judy’s background includes 14 years as a lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of SA, after which she chose to return to clinical practice. Her decision to seek employment at Mary Potter Hospice just over seven years ago was driven by a strong interest in this emerging nursing specialty area, and a commitment to the principles and philosophy of palliative care. After 6 months as a full time clinician at the hospice, she was contracted by Little Company of Mary Health Care to participate in the preparation and delivery of palliative care courses for registered and enrolled nurses. Judy has recently ended her involvement in the LCMHC courses due to an increased commitment to the Ausmed palliative care seminars. She currently combines this commitment with a continuing clinical role in the hospice and casual lecturing in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Flinders University. She has a strong interest in Evidence Based Practice, and the related notion of Clinical Practice Improvement.
