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 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

You may download the complete full text document (pdf file) or the executive summary (pdf file) of the NCP Guidelines. (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view these files.)

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Clinical Practice Guidelines  (Full text)

Executive Summary

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