Palliative Care in the Emergency Department: A Step Forward

Palliative care, as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), focuses on improving the quality of life for patients facing life- limiting illnesses by addressing pain, distressing symptoms, and psychological and spiritual needs. There is an increasing demand for palliative care, while only a small fraction of those in need receive adequate services. In the context of the Emergency Department (ED), patients with life-limiting illnesses often seek care for symptom management or acute exacerbations. They face several challenges that hinder the integration of palliative care into the emergency setting, including a lack of prior training-patient relationships, prognostic uncertainty, time constraints, and resource limitations-especially in developing countries. This short communication proposes an algorithm to enhance the identification, referral, and management of palliative care patients in the ED. This will help streamline palliative care delivery, ensuring that patients with life-limiting illnesses receive timely and appropriate interventions. By addressing these challenges, this approach aims to bridge the gap between patient needs and healthcare system limitations, thereby improving the quality of palliative care in the ED. Key Words: Palliative care, Referral, End-of-life care, Emergency department.