Abstract
The emergency department (ED) is at times the only place where patients can turn for symptom relief. Patients of all ages may turn to the ED for help with the management of end-of-life (EOL) and palliative care (PC) symptoms. Emergency medicine (EM) is a specialty that manages disease-directed treatment for a variety of acute conditions. In contrast, EOL and PC are focused on improving quality of life. Patients with serious illness, even hospice patients, present to the ED in increasing numbers for symptom management. It has become essential for emergency physicians to care for patients who are not seeking life-sustaining measures but instead need quality-of-life interventions. The development of a clear, concise review of the most common acute symptoms can provide a framework for EM physicians to adequately address the needs of patients at the EOL. Here, we discuss three cases that highlight the management of five of the most common EOL and PC presentations to the ED.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
