Presenting Faculty
Paul L. DeSandre, DO FAAHPM
CME Credit: 0.75
Session Overview
This session addresses the clinical recognition and management of impending death and the death event, with an emphasis on compassionate, informed decision‑making that supports patients, families, and care teams during advanced serious illness.
What Learners Will Gain
Learners will self‑report the ability to apply, analyze, and evaluate the components of impending death and the death event when making appropriate diagnostic and clinical decisions that have important consequences for patients and families experiencing serious and complex illness.
Clinical Management of Impending Death
• Management of noisy respiratory secretions and other respiratory manifestations
• Cardiovascular changes associated with the dying process
• Neurologic manifestations of impending death
• Renal changes at end of life
• Skin and mucous membrane changes
• Gastrointestinal manifestations
• Pain assessment and management during the dying process
Management of the Death Event
• Religious and spiritual considerations
• Psychosocial considerations
• Cultural considerations
• Socioeconomic considerations
• Family considerations and support needs
• Emotional responses to death and dying
Post‑Death Care and Communication
• Death notification
• Death pronouncement
• Post‑death care
• Autopsy and organ donation considerations
Clinical Focus Areas
• Supporting comfort and dignity at the end of life
• Communicating effectively with patients and families during and after death
• Integrating clinical, cultural, spiritual, and emotional considerations into care