How do you recognise dying? We have the opportunity to recognise dying in a patient with: • . . • .
A potentially reversible illness that has reached their ceiling of appropriate treatment and continues to deteriorate. A progressive, incurable illness that is deteriorating without reversible factors.
Factors to be taken into consideration include: • • . • •
The person’s underlying condition(s) Whether reversible causes of deterioration have been ruled out or treated Their ceiling of treatment The rate of their deterioration
What are some signs of deterioration? • . • . • • • . •
Increasing physiological dysfunction recognised by increasing Early Warning Score A progressive deterioration in function and reliance on assistance Increasing fatigue, spending more time asleep A lack of interest in food and drink Weakness and swallowing difficulties, including an inability to swallow secretions Changes in breathing pattern or skin colour
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