Tip of the Month

Bowel obstruction occurs in up to 42% of malignancies and is a common complication in patients with colorectal and ovarian cancer but can occur with any cancer that has an abdominal or pelvic [...]

Nausea and vomiting are commonly experienced symptoms affecting 40-60% of those receiving a palliative approach to care and the cause is often multifactorial1.  To treat nausea effectively, we [...]

Communication is the Lifeline of Any Relationship Originally created for use in the military, the SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment & Recommendation) is a tool that provides a [...]

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in palliative care patients presents a unique challenge that requires a delicate balance between managing pain and minimizing the risk of substance misuse.  Opioid use [...]

The circle process is not a new concept in healthcare or even general society. The Alcoholics Anonymous program established in 1935, and countless other support groups since then, use circles as [...]

Total pain is a comprehensive concept that encompasses not only the physical experience of pain but also the emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions that affect a person’s overall well-being, [...]

As health professionals, from time to time we have conversations with patients, families or coworkers that are sensitive in nature. Not all sensitive conversations are about breaking bad news, [...]

Definition Serum calcium (corrected) greater than 2.65 mmol/L. 2 Formula Corrected calcium = measured calcium mmol/L + [(40-serum albumin g/L) x 0.02] 3 Hypercalcemia is the most frequent [...]

Strategies for Early Identification & Screening Tools Consider the presence of delirium in any patient with advanced disease demonstrating an acute onset of agitation, impaired cognitive [...]

Identification of delirium may be missed for several reasons. Delirium can often be mistaken for uncontrolled pain, anxiety or depression. In the case of opioid-induced delirium, manifestations [...]