THE DEATH OF a child is a devastating and unnatural
event as children typically are expected to outlive their
parents. Although there have been significant advances in
medical technology, thousands of children continue to die
annually. Congenital heart defects, respiratory conditions,
complications of prematurity, sudden infant death syndrome,
and intentional and unintentional injuries are a few
examples of life-limiting illnesses children and families
encounter. Children who are facing these life-limiting
illnesses should have access to competent, compassionate,
and developmentally appropriate palliative care offered at
time of diagnosis (American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP],
Committee on Bioethics and Committee on Hospital Care,
2000). However, it is estimated that less than 1% of the
children (approximately 5,000) who die annually receive
any type of palliative care services and are most likely
involved in exclusively curative therapy preceding the point
of death (Stephenson, 2000).
Pediatric nurses, perhaps more than any other health care
professional, spend significant amounts of time providing
care for these children and their families. Pediatric nurses are
in a unique situation to assess and meet the needs of children
THE DEATH OF a child is a devastating and unnaturalevent as children typically are expected to outlive theirparents. Although there have been significant advances inmedical technology, thousands of children continue to dieannually. Congenital heart defects, respiratory conditions,complications of prematurity, sudden infant death syndrome,and intentional and unintentional injuries are a fewexamples of life-limiting illnesses children and familiesencounter. Children who are facing these life-limitingillnesses should have access to competent, compassionate,and developmentally appropriate palliative care offered attime of diagnosis (American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP],Committee on Bioethics and Committee on Hospital Care,2000). However, it is estimated that less than 1% of thechildren (approximately 5,000) who die annually receiveany type of palliative care services and are most likelyinvolved in exclusively curative therapy preceding the pointof death (Stephenson, 2000).Pediatric nurses, perhaps more than any other health careprofessional, spend significant amounts of time providingcare for these children and their families. Pediatric nurses arein a unique situation to assess and meet the needs of children
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