Our 10 point tool
Our End of Life Service has developed a ’10 point tool’ to support clinicians when undertaking holistic end of life assessments. The tool is based around prompts which fit into 10 areas, with points to consider in each area. Click the headings below to see more about what can be considered to help provide holistic care to people in end of life care and their families and carers.
Advance Care Planning:
- Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT) Plus
- What matters most?
- Fears and values
- What is a priority?
- Lasting Power of Attorney in place?
- Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT) in place?
Equipment
- Full dynamic air mattress
- Hospital bed
- Slide sheets
- Commode
- Pressure cushion
- Referral to Physio/Occupational Therapy?
Spirituality
- Finding meaning in life, illness and death
- Questioning religion or culture
- Sense of hope or peace
- Finding strength in difficult times.
Psychological
- Adapting to different ways of living
- Change of family dynamic
Documentation and communication
- End of Life EMIS template
- Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) working- who else is involved?
- Community Palliative Care Drug chart-required? Completed correctly? In home ready for use?
Nutrition
- Swallow
- Diet
- Fluids
- International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI)
- Referral to Speech and Language Therapy?
Personal care and support
- Continuing Healthcare (CHC) Fast Track
- Marie Curie
- Hospice at Home
- Social Services
- Mouth care pack
- Washing/dressing.
Bladder and Bowel
- Continence
- Priority 1 pathway via Bladder and Bowel Service for continence products.
Assessments
- National Early Warning Score (NEWS).
- Purpose-T
- Personalised Pressure Ulcer Prevention Plan (PPUPP)
- Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST)
- Surface, Skin inspection, Keep moving, Incontinence Management, Nutrition (SSKIN).
Symptoms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Agitation
- Dyspnoea
- Pain
- Secretions
- Reversible causes?
