SAQ 289 – Palliative Care – end-of-life care and organ donation criteria

Palliative Care – end-of-life care and organ donation criteria.

a. Advance care directive benefits

• Reduces non-beneficial care and unnecessary hospitalisation.
• Allows the patient's wishes and preferred location of care to be respected when they cannot communicate.
• Reduces stress for families and staff.

b. Non-pharmacological end-of-life care

• Timely, sensitive end-of-life discussions and clear documentation.
• Multidisciplinary care with treating teams and palliative care services.
• A suitable private environment for the patient and family.
• Warmth, food/drink access, seating, music, and personal items where appropriate.
• Avoid procedures and monitoring that do not improve comfort.
• Cultural, religious, pastoral, and psychosocial support.
• Family access and frequent communication from clinicians.

c. Potential organ donor criteria

• Age greater than 16 years, with no upper age limit.
• GCS less than or equal to 5.
• Intubated and ventilated.
• Receiving end-of-life care.
• A condition likely to cause irreversible cessation of brain function or circulation.
• Prior expressed wishes or organ-donor registry status.