"Comfort Measures" vs. "Comfort Care"

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Specializes in Acute Care.

Is there a difference? What is it?

A patient is on "Comfort Measures" - O2, IV ABT, no morphine drip. Nurse called MD regarding something & mentions comfort measures/care and MD chews her out sayin they are different.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I may be wrong, but, my understanding is that Comfort Care is given to a patient whose passing is not imminent, (ie: has CA and is give 6 months). Comfort Measures are inacted for a patient who is actively passing (like knocking on the gate waitting for St. Pete to open it).

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The first question I would have is the person a DNR/DNI. The second is what is the patient's wishes and or their diagnosis.ANd please do not worry about the doctor knowing about the difference between comfort mesaures vs.comfort care-they will never know the difference.I work in critical care and they do not understand DNR.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

At my facility, "Comfort Care" is an actual medical designation with an actual protocol. It is essentially end of life care in the hospital setting. "Comfort measures" would be interventions designed to make the person, well, comfortable, but is not a medical designation/status.

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Specializes in Adult Acute Care Medicine.

I would just like to add......MD is "chewing nurse out". ???

This should not be tolerated.

At my hospital, it certainly happens from time to time..but there are clear guidelines prohibiting this behavior...and an annonynous way of reporting docs.....so unfortunate...we are supposed to be a helathcare "team".

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