Background: The introduction of care pathway plans for end-of-life cares such as the Liverpool\nCare Pathway (LCP) reveals a unique possibility for inter professional collaboration. Knowledge of\nsymptom relief and how to meet the patients� needs at the last stage of the palliative phase are essential\nfor the nurses� approach and care actions, but the documentation of such implementations\nis still rare and sometimes criticized. Aim: To explore and describe nurses� experiences of using\nthe LCP plan with patients hospitalized with heart failure at the end-of-life stage. An explorative\ndesign was applied, using qualitative content analysis of 20 interviews with nurses practicing the\nLCP plan in two district hospitals in Norway. Results: The nurses found the LCP plan as quality assurance\nfor treatment and care in patients with heart failure in the last hours and days of life. The\nuse of the LCP plan implied: 1) individualized adjustment, 2) symptom relief and 3) a holistic approach.\nConclusion: Nurses experienced that using the LCP plan as a comprehensive action plan\ncontributed in the decision making process and improved inter professional communication. Using\nthe LCP plan should be seen as a tool to practice individualized and holistic nursing to patients\nat the end-of-life and their families, as well as a purposeful relief of symptoms associated with\nheart failure.
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