To the Editor: Patients receiving end-of-life care often present to the emergency department (ED).1,2 Although such patients may be more appropriately cared for in a palliative care unit (PCU), the ED can represent a critical decision-making point where goals of care are agreed.3
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- 1. Rosenwax LK, McNamara BA, Murray K, et al. Hospital and emergency department use in the last year of life: a baseline for future modifications to end-of-life care. Med J Aust 2011; 194: 570-573. <MJA full text>
- 2. Quest TE, Asplin BR, Cairns CB, et al. Research priorities for palliative and end-of-life care in the emergency setting. Acad Emerg Med 2011; 18: e70-e76.
- 3. Grudzen CR, Stone SC, Morrison RS. The palliative care model for emergency department patients with advanced illness. J Palliat Med 2011; 14: 945-950.
- 4. Eastern Health. Fast track emergency department to palliative care unit (Wantirna). http://www.easternhealth.org.au/palliative.aspx (accessed May 2012).
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We thank Associate Professor Debbie Leach, Deputy Director of the Box Hill Emergency Department.
No relevant disclosures.