6 minute Speed talk Palliative Care Nurses Australia Conference 2020

Improving education, supporting staff and improving outcomes for dying patients in ICU at St George Hospital -The ICU Palliative Care Special Interest Group (70426)

Linda Magann 1 , Virginia Decker 1 , Belinda Hocking 1
  1. St George Hosptial, Kogarah, NSW, Australia

Introduction Overwhelming interest from the nursing staff in ICU at St George Hospital in 2019 led to the introduction of an ICU Palliative Care Special Interest Group. Concern regarding a lack of holistic approach to dying patients was the driving force behind this implementation. It was decided that the group would be open to all staff members within the ICU and there is participation from nursing, medical, allied health and support staff as well as the Palliative Care CNC.

Approach The support group meets monthly and involves education in the form of palliative care in-services, case studies and review of difficult deaths. It has led to the development of a multi faith trolley, the introduction of handmade quilts for the beds of dying patients which the families may choose to keep and the consolidation in practice around care of the dying patient in ICU.

Outcomes. This intervention facilitates consistent care highlighting the special needs of patients and families at this difficult time as well as the empowerment and continuing support of the ICU staff .