Comfort care in burns: The Burn Modified Liverpool Care Pathway (BM-LCP)

S. J. Hemington-Gorse, A. J.P. Clover, C. MacDonald, J. Harriott, P. Richardson, B. Philp, O. Shelley, P. Dziewulski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Despite advances in burn care some injuries remain non survivable. Good end of life care for these patients is arguably as important as life prolonging care. The Liverpool Care Pathway is a useful tool for providing good quality end of life care. It has previously been modified for the acute setting. We modified it further specifically for use in burn care in 2007 and would like to share our experience of using it. Methods: A retrospective case series of deaths occurring between 01/01/08 and 31/12/09 is presented and adherence to the Burn Modified Liverpool Care Pathway (BM-LCP) is assessed. Results: There were 22 deaths over the study period with a mean TBSA of 55%. Mean Acute Burn Severity Index score (ABSI) 12.5. A decision of futility was made in 14 cases, 11 of these were started on the BM-LCP. 7 were started on the pathway at the time of admission. Mean time from decision to start the pathway to death 11 h (range 3-48). There were no variances from the pathway. Conclusion: The BM-LCP appears to be an appropriate tool for assisting in end of life care in burns and when used appears to improve end of life care. We recommend its use and would encourage others to implement its use.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)981-985
Number of pages5
JournalBurns
Volume37
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Comfort care
  • End of life care
  • Liverpool Care Pathway

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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