Hvidovre Hospital's palliative care unit provides comfort and support for terminally ill patients, addressing physical, emotional, and existential pain, facilitating goodbyes, and offering compassionate care for a peaceful end of life.
- The palliative care unit at Hvidovre hospital focuses on relief, not cure, for terminally ill patients.
- Staff helps patients and families with physical symptoms, as well as emotional and existential suffering ("total pain").
- Many patients initially considering assisted dying reconsider after receiving comprehensive palliative support.
- Healthcare professionals in palliative care prioritize listening and talking to patients about death and their wishes, unlike some other areas of the healthcare system.
- Key themes for dying patients to address: "Forgive me, I forgive you, and I love you."
- Creating a calm, supportive atmosphere is a contrast to other busier hospital departments.
- Palliative care extends support to relatives, helping them process grief and say goodbye.
- Patients find appreciation for small comforts and moments, like good coffee, music, or sunlight.
- Delirium and hallucinations are common experiences for dying patients, requiring specific compassionate care.
- Palliative sedation is sometimes used to relieve intractable pain and distress, with the potential side effect of loss of consciousness and shortened life.
- Preparing patients and families for death is crucial to avoid chaotic "blue-light deaths."
- Saying goodbye to loved ones and finding peace are important aspects of end-of-life care.
- Hospice care offers a supportive environment for some patients nearing the end of life.