Choice Case Studies Database

I work as a Community Matron in-reaching to Nursing Homes. My role is about facilitating the homes to manage long term conditions, avoid inappropriate hospital admissions and improve patient choice. An example of improved end of life care was evident in a case I facilitated to come out of hospital from a busy neurosurgical ward to a nursing home in the last stage of his life.

The patient was level six and was expected to die. His wife had dementia and the daughter was her main carer. His only means of hydration was via subcutaneous fluids. I liaised with the GP, the ward, the joint care manager, the home and the family. The discharge was arranged within two days. I provided the equipment and trained the staff to carry out the subcutaneous fluids.

The family lived near the home so they were able to easily park their car and spend long periods of time with him. Due to the strain on the daughter caring for her mother and her father dying, the home let them have meals whilst they were visiting. The patient died peacefully in his own room a week later with his family present. This situation may have been very different in an acute bed setting.