Pediatric End-of-Life Issues and Palliative Care

Michelson, Kelly Nicole; Steinhorn, David M.

doi:10.1016/j.cpem.2007.06.006

« PreviousClinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Volume 8, Issue 3 , Pages 212-219, September 2007

Pediatric End-of-Life Issues and Palliative Care

Kelly Nicole Michelson, MD, MPH
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
- Section on Clinical Research, Buehler Center on Aging, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
- Bridges–Pediatric Palliative Care Program, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
- Dr Michelson's efforts are supported in part by a National Institute of Child Health and Human Development grant 1K23HD054441-01, “Developing a Pediatric Advance Care Planning Worksheet,” Principal Investigator, Dr Kelly Michelson, Children's Memorial Hospital, and by a National Institute of Child Health and Human Development grant K12 HD047349, “Pediatric Critical Care Scientist Development Program” Principal Investigator, Dr J Michael Dean, University of Utah.
- Reprint requests and correspondence: Kelly Nicole Michelson, MD, MPH, Children's Memorial Hospital, Division of Critical Care Medicine-Box 73, 2300 Children's Plaza, Chicago, IL 60614.
David M. Steinhorn, MD
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
- Bridges–Pediatric Palliative Care Program, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL

Optimizing the quality of medical care at the end of life has achieved national status as an important health care goal. Palliative care, a comprehensive approach to treating the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of patients facing life-limiting illnesses and their families, requires the coordinated efforts of a multidisciplinary group of caregivers. Understanding the basic principles of palliative care can aid emergency department staff in identifying patients who could benefit from palliative care services and in managing the challenging situations that arise when such patients present to the hospital. In this article, we present the overall philosophy of pediatric palliative care, describe key elements of quality palliative care, and identify additional referral sources readers can access for more information.

Keywords: palliative care, pediatric critical care