Death Rattle: reassuring harbinger of imminent death or a perfect example of inadequacies in evidence-based practice

Watts, T., Willis, D., Noble, S. and Johnston, B. (2019) Death Rattle: reassuring harbinger of imminent death or a perfect example of inadequacies in evidence-based practice. Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care, 13(4), pp. 380-383. (doi: 10.1097/SPC.0000000000000463)

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Abstract

Purpose of review: Death is the inevitable consequence of life. Although clinicians are unlikely to accurately pinpoint when death is likely to occur in the people they care for, the death in a person with a diagnosis of malignant and nonmalignant tends to involve a period of predictable progressive clinical and functional deterioration. During this time, it is common for death rattle to occur. Due to its presentation, death rattle can cause stress and distress to caregivers. This often prompts clinicians to consider medical interventions that are not only ineffective in treating the problem but may also do harm. Recent findings: There is a dearth of research related to the management of death rattle. Summary: The article discusses the existing evidence in the management of death rattle, considerations for clinicians in the absence of reliable evidence and suggests areas for future research.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Johnston, Professor Bridget
Authors: Watts, T., Willis, D., Noble, S., and Johnston, B.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Nursing and Health Care
Journal Name:Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care
Publisher:Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins
ISSN:1751-4258
ISSN (Online):1751-4266
Published Online:24 September 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
First Published:First published in Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care 13(4):380-383
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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