Recognising the dying phase

Recognising the Dying Phase

It is important that the patient is known to have advanced disease or frailty and that reversible causes of deterioration have been excluded.

Usually the dying phase can be recognised from the following features:

Unconscious / sleeping much of the time
Little interest in food/fluids
Unable to swallow tablets
Largely bed-bound

The assessment that a patient is in the last days of life should be made by the multidisciplinary team in discussion with the patient and relatives as appropriate.

Priorities for care of the dying person.

When it is thought that a person may die within the next few days or hours:

This possibility is recognised and communicated clearly, decisions made and actions taken in accordance with the person’s needs and wishes, and these are regularly reviewed and decisions revised accordingly.
Sensitive communication takes place between staff and the dying person, and those identified as important to them.
The dying person, and those identified as important to them, are involved in decisions about treatment and care to the extent that the dying person wants.
The needs of families and others identified as important to the dying person are actively explored, respected and met as far as possible
An individual plan of care, which includes food and drink, symptom control and psychological, social and spiritual support, is agreed, coordinated and delivered with compassion.

At this stage, only drugs that are required for comfort and symptom control should be prescribed:

a) Stop non-essential medication e.g.

cholesterol-lowering agents such as statins
anti-hypertensive drugs
levothyroxine

b) Prescribe medication via a suitable route (eg subcutaneous injection or syringe driver/pump) for:

pain
nausea and vomiting
sedation
secretions
breathlessness

There will be geographical variation in recommended drugs for the dying phase (eg morphine vs diamorphine). Please cross reference with local guidelines/prescribing policies.

Consider appropriate dose reductions in severe frailty or organ failure (see previous chapters)

c) Essential drugs that cannot be given by the usual route should be changed to an alternative (e.g.
anticonvulsants converted to subcutaneous midazolam, steroids to dexamethasone sc).

NEXT: Pain in the dying phase

DISCLAIMER

This Guide is intended for use by healthcare professionals and the expectation is that they will use clinical judgement, medical, and nursing knowledge in applying the general principles and recommendations contained within. They are not meant to replace the many available texts on the subject of palliative care.

Some of the management strategies describe the use of drugs outside their licensed indications. They are, however, established and accepted good practice. Please refer to the current BNF for further guidance.

While WMPCPS takes every care to compile accurate information , we cannot guarantee its correctness and completeness and it is subject to change. We do not accept responsibility for any loss, damage or expense resulting from the use of this information.