TY - JOUR
T1 - Oncologic Emergencies
T2 - Palliative Care in the Emergency Department Setting
AU - Long, Drew A.
AU - Koyfman, Alex
AU - Long, Brit
N1 - Funding Information:
B.L. D.A.L. and A.K. conceived the idea for this manuscript and contributed substantially to the writing and editing of the review. This manuscript did not use any grants, and it has not been presented in abstract form. This clinical review has not been published, it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere, its publication is approved by all authors and tacitly or explicitly by the responsible authorities where the work was carried out, and that, if accepted, it will not be published elsewhere in the same form, in English or in any other language, including electronically without the written consent of the copyright-holder. This review does not reflect the views or opinions of the U.S. government, Department of Defense, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Brooke Army Medical Center, or San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium Emergency Medicine Residency Program.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020
PY - 2021/2
Y1 - 2021/2
N2 - Background: Palliative care is an essential component of emergency medicine, as many patients with terminal illness will present to the emergency department (ED) for symptomatic management at the end of life (EOL). Objective: This narrative review evaluates palliative care in the ED, with a focus on the literature behind management of EOL symptoms, especially dyspnea and cancer-related pain. Discussion: As the population ages, increasing numbers of patients present to the ED with severe EOL symptoms. An understanding of the role of palliative care in the ED is crucial to effectively communicating with these patients to determine their goals and provide medical care in line with their wishes. Beneficence, nonmaleficence, and patient autonomy are essential components of palliative care. Patients without medical decision-making capacity may have an advance directive, do not resuscitate or do not intubate order, or Portable Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment available to assist clinicians. Effective and empathetic communication with patients and families is vital to EOL care discussions. Two of the most common and distressing symptoms at the EOL are dyspnea and pain. The most effective treatment of EOL dyspnea is opioids, with literature showing little efficacy for other therapies. The most effective treatment for cancer-related pain is opioids, with expeditious pain control achievable with a rapid fentanyl titration. It is also important to address nausea, vomiting, and secretions, as these are common at the EOL. Conclusions: Emergency clinicians play a vital role in EOL patient care. Clear, empathetic communication and treatment of EOL symptoms are essential.
AB - Background: Palliative care is an essential component of emergency medicine, as many patients with terminal illness will present to the emergency department (ED) for symptomatic management at the end of life (EOL). Objective: This narrative review evaluates palliative care in the ED, with a focus on the literature behind management of EOL symptoms, especially dyspnea and cancer-related pain. Discussion: As the population ages, increasing numbers of patients present to the ED with severe EOL symptoms. An understanding of the role of palliative care in the ED is crucial to effectively communicating with these patients to determine their goals and provide medical care in line with their wishes. Beneficence, nonmaleficence, and patient autonomy are essential components of palliative care. Patients without medical decision-making capacity may have an advance directive, do not resuscitate or do not intubate order, or Portable Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment available to assist clinicians. Effective and empathetic communication with patients and families is vital to EOL care discussions. Two of the most common and distressing symptoms at the EOL are dyspnea and pain. The most effective treatment of EOL dyspnea is opioids, with literature showing little efficacy for other therapies. The most effective treatment for cancer-related pain is opioids, with expeditious pain control achievable with a rapid fentanyl titration. It is also important to address nausea, vomiting, and secretions, as these are common at the EOL. Conclusions: Emergency clinicians play a vital role in EOL patient care. Clear, empathetic communication and treatment of EOL symptoms are essential.
KW - POLST
KW - advanced directive
KW - analgesia
KW - do not resuscitate and do not intubate orders
KW - dyspnea
KW - hospice
KW - oncology
KW - pain
KW - palliative
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85092900573&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85092900573&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jemermed.2020.09.027
DO - 10.1016/j.jemermed.2020.09.027
M3 - Article
C2 - 33092975
AN - SCOPUS:85092900573
SN - 0736-4679
VL - 60
SP - 175
EP - 191
JO - Journal of Emergency Medicine
JF - Journal of Emergency Medicine
IS - 2
ER -