What type of Assessments will our patient require for Palliative/End of Life Care? •Our patient’s medical history would be taken including any past surgeries, acute or chronic conditions, current medications, any allergies, social/spiritual aspects, and family/carer information. •Palliative Care Problem Severity Score, (PCPSS) : This includes a clinician rated score of palliative care problems, measured in 4 areas including, Pain, Other Symptoms, Psychological/Spiritual, and Family/Carer.
•Symptom Assessment Scale, (SAS) : This is a patient rated tool which assess’ 7 of the most common symptoms including, Appetite Problems, Sleeping Difficulties, Breathing Problems, Nausea, Bowel Problems, Pain, and Fatigue. •Spirometry testing would have been carried out in the initial stages of the COPD to help confirm the diagnosis and possibly X-Rays. •To help diagnose Diabetes our patient would have required an initial blood test. Ongoing assessment and management will require blood glucose test monitoring.
•Pain assessment tools and scales will be used to assess our patients’ level of pain and effectiveness of the pain management. When our patient can communicate, then a simple numerical pain scale cann be used to assess pain. When or if our patient cannot verbally communicate with us then the Abbey Pain Scale can be used to assess pain. REFERENCES : http://www. pcoc. org. au/ : Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration : University of Wollongong. http://www. diabetesvic. org. au/ http://www. health. gov. au/internet/main/publishing. nsf/Content/ageing-acfi-suggested-assess-t ools-q1-4. htm Jody Kielblock BF56 s3435843.