December
6, 2002
(Salt Lake City, KSL News) -- Health care workers gathered
today at Salt Lake's Veterans Hospital to discuss how to improve
end of life care for patients and their families.
Every day in this country approximately 1,800 war veterans
die.
Some
die at home, but many in facilities like the VA Hospital.
Studies show many who are dying report that they are in pain
and worry about their families.
Families are urged to discuss end of life care with their doctor
and loved ones well before they need it.
"The more people can talk to their family about what they
want at the end of life, the better chances they have of getting
what they want," says Sue Childress, a registered nurse
at the VA Hospital.
Childress says health care providers are discussing what they
can do to improve end of life care for Utahns.
A recent study ranked Utah deficient in providing end of life
care.
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