ASSESSMENT AND DOCUMENTATION OF RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY IN THE LIVERPOOL CARE PATHWAY FOR THE DYING PATIENT

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Introduction: The Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying (LCP) provides a standardised evidence-based approach to caring for patients and their relatives in the final days of life (MCPIL, 2009). Goal 6, Section 1 of the LCP assesses religion and spirituality. Methods: A retrospective audit of assessment and documentation of Goal 6, Section 1 of the LCP was carried out between 1.6.08 – 31.8.08. Following discussion with the MCPIL, a standard for 80% compliance was set. Results: Compliance with the 80% standard was not met. 50% of patients and 74% of relatives had their religious/spiritual needs assessed with them. 42% of patients had a religious tradi-tion/spiritual need identified and 42% of patients were offered internal chaplaincy support. Internal discussion suggested Hospice staff were not always comfortable discussing religion/spirituality with patients and their families and that religion was easier to document than spirituality. Conclusions: Ways in which provision of religious/spiritual care to dying patients and their families might be facilitated were discussed internally and recommendations for providing this care were made.