Developing the Comfort Care Case: An End-of-Life Resource for Pediatric Patients, Their Families, and Health Professionals

Abstract

Caring for a child in hospital who is approaching death, in the terminal phase, requires a focus on caring for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the child and family. Health professionals caring for these children and families may need to shift their focus from a treatment-focused approach aimed at cure or maintaining life to a comfort-focused approach. The Comfort Care Case (CCC) is a collection of resources designed for use in hospital to ease suffering and facilitate comfort within a pediatric end-of-life (EOL) context. The resources are intended to support the child, the family, and the health professionals involved in EOL care. This article describes the development, implementation, and education associated with the CCC in a tertiary pediatric hospital.

Bereaved Parent Perspectives on End-of-Life Conversations in Pediatric Oncology

“…The dying patient has basic requirements that must be met, including “independence, dignity, acceptance by others of an individual approach to dying, relief of symptoms, and physical care” [ 36 ]. Hospitals may be the end-of-life location of choice for a variety of reasons, but they are not set up ideally to care for dying children [ 37 ]. Models of integration of primary palliative care and specialty palliative care into hospital settings have been proposed and piloted with success [ 38 , 39 ].…”

Paediatric palliative care: a systematic review

“…It is not uncommon that palliative care is initiated in acute care at the hospital, where few rooms are adapted for paediatric palliative care. Ward rooms that contain complex medical equipment often do not have the resources to create a more relaxed, home-like environment which is preferable for facilitating palliation 57. However, it is also important to remember that children in need of palliative care can also need access to advanced healthcare technology.…”