To Live and Not Merely to ExistLing ChenFairfield University School of NursingSpring 2013

Learning Need The learning need is directed toward the

patients and families at St. Vincent’s Medical Center as a result of the frequent re-admissions of COPD patients.

The evidence demonstrates that patients lack knowledge of the importance in the role of palliative care in COPD management.

Common Barriers to palliative care initiation: Fear of end-of-life decisions Fear of losing hope Fear of medical negligence Misconception with hospice care

Rationale Lack of knowledge on the disease evolvement;

COPD is a slow- progressive disease that is debilitating due to the symptoms of the illness and its impact on quality of life.

Research states that: Dyspnea is evident in 94% of all COPD patients, increasing anxiety

and depression from fear of suffocation. COPD decrease patient’s ability to maintain ADLs and increases

family burden. Poor management is associated with acute exacerbation resulting

in increased hospitalization, expenses and a decreased QOL

The learning need is affirmed by my CTA, Clinical Instructor , and Manager which resulted in the creation of the pamphlet to aid in patient education.

Significance to Patient Care COPD patients on palliative care have a

better Quality-of-Life with decrease in anxiety and depression that are associated with the disease.

Patients also Achieve sense of control: allowing time to plan

and prepare for the future death physically, emotionally and psychologically

Improve symptom management Relieve burden of illness on families Strengthen relationship with loved ones Decrease medical expenses related to decreased

acute hospitalizations

Project Development This project was developed because of a

learning need indicated on the Medical Respiratory unit. The Nursing staffs are well educated on the Palliative Care services available to COPD patients however, patients frequently refuse these services.

As a result, brochure is created on educating patients and family members on the importance of a Palliative Care approach to COPD including information on the differences between Hospice and Palliative Care, goals and benefits of receiving Palliative Care as well as outside resources available.

Benefits of the Brochure Easy to read and understand

Accessible

Excellent to supplement with verbal teaching

Successes, Problems, Lessons Learned

Once I decided on COPD Palliative Care, I choose patient teaching because there is a greater need for their education.

Finding research articles from the U.S and within the last 5 years was challenging because there was not a lot of research done on COPD Palliative Care. I had to reach out to the librarian for assistance and managed to find some articles.

I learned that patient teaching brochures are important supplementations in addition to verbal education done in the hospital because patients could refer back to it in the future.

Implications for Professional Nursing Practice

I will be more conscientious in providing education on sensitive topics such as End-of-Life decisions.

I will be able to provide holistic care by incorporating the physical, social, psychological and spiritual aspects to a patient’s general health.