In 2004, the first edition of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care was released. This was an important development in the advancement of palliative care because the document offered a map to the future of palliative care. In the past five years, the growth in hospice and palliative care has been enormous. It is more important than ever to assure consistency and high quality care because there are many new programs developing. In furthering its mission, as well as remaining current with the science and practice of palliative care, the NCP promotes ongoing dissemination of these updated guidelines, the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, Second Edition. This revision provides a blueprint for the essential foundation as palliative care programs are growing in response to patient need. They provide for assessment and treatment of pain and other symptoms; help with patient-centered communications and decision-making; and, coordination of care across the continuum of care settings. The NCP Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, Second Edition represent consensus achieved among nationally recognized experts on voluntary, evidence-based guidelines to ensure quality and consistency of care.

The guidelines describe core precepts and structures of clinical palliative care programs divided into eight dedicated sections:

• Structure and Processes of Care
• Physical Aspects of Care
• Psychological and Psychiatric Aspects of Care
• Social Aspects of Care
• Spiritual, Religious and Existential Aspects of Care
• Cultural Aspects of Care
• Care of the Imminently Dying Patient
• Ethical and Legal Aspects of Care

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NCP Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, Second Edition, 2009
ISBN# 978-1-934654-11-8
Link here to download

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