LIVERPOOL CARE PATHWAY

Nurses Experience of Liverpool Care Pathway

Liverpool Care Pathway

Introduction

Different studies have been conducted on the Liverpool Care Pathway for Dying patients. These studies mainly provide the background information of the Liverpool Care Pathway and the experiences of nursing in these (Kirchhoff 2000, p. 96). From the previous researches it has been identified that Liverpool Care Pathway is that model of care which is mainly designed for the healthcare professionals so that they can provide their focus on care at the time when the death of the patient is expected (Frommelt, 1991, p. 37). This model of care has been developed in compliance with the individual needs of a patient by keeping in consideration the psychological, physical, spiritual and social needs (Irvin 2000, p. 30). Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University hospitals were the main developers of Liverpool Care Pathway for Dying patients. At the same time Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute Liverpool was also responsible to develop and success of Liverpool Care Pathway (Pugh & McEnvoy, 2010: 544).

This is a very crucial guideline because it caters the needs of the patients with limited life span; therefore, there is a great need of senior clinical decision making, management plan, communication and regular reassessment (Raijmakers & Zuylen, 2011: 1). It cannot be considered as a treatment; rather, it is basically a framework designed for the management of treatment (Holloway 2009, p. 34). The main aim of it is to provide support to the clinical judgment. It is necessary that all the healthcare workers should provide their valuable contribution in terms of effective communication, compassion and care (Heidegger 1962, p. 45). The Liverpool Care Pathway is considered to be a very effective model designed for the patients in their last hours (Polit 2012, p. 1). There is a great need that special focus should be provided in terms of catering the needs and requirements of the patients in their last hours. The extra care and compassion can turn out to be a miracle and can serve as the life saving act for the patients. This is the reason that Liverpool Care Pathway for the dying patients is given a great importance (Hais? 1996, p. 931).

Different studies have presented their valuable contributions in identifying the experiences of nurses in working at Liverpool Care Pathway for dying patients. It has been identified from these studies that for working in the Liverpool Care Pathway for dying patients it is necessary that the nurses should be senior and well qualified. It is a very crucial pathway because there is a great need of extra care and attention for dying patients (Polit 2010, p. 12). This is the reason why there is a great need of concentration to adopt the guidelines provided by Liverpool Care pathway for dying patients (Hainsworth 1996, p. 963).

In one of the research studies, out of more than 3,000 UK doctors contacted during the survey (commissioned by the BMJ and Channel 4's Dispatches programme), 563 with experience in use of the LCP ...