[Applying hospice care concepts on a patient with terminal stage esophageal carcinoma: a nurse's experience]

This report describes a nursing care experience with a patient diagnosed with terminal stage esophageal carcinoma. Nursing care was administered from November 8th to 30th, 2007. Patient data was collected and evaluated using direct caring, observation, medical reports and patient interviews covering the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual realms. Patient health problems included pain, ineffective airway clearance, anticipatory grieving and spiritual distress. In line with hospice care concepts, the author employed empathy, companionship, listening, and support to assist the patient to overcome fear and face death. Comfort care and pain control skills were also used to relieve the patient's physical suffering. As such, the author assisted patient to achieve the essence of "good death", i.e., peace of achieved in the physical, psychological, social and spiritual realms.