Death to critically ill patients in hospitals has a long history. Compassionate and innovative care at the end does not.
But the Three Wishes Project at St. Joseph’s Healthcare offers patients and families in the Intensive Care Unit closure and dignity, by granting deathbed requests ranging from saying farewell to a pet to renewing wedding vows, watching sports TV 24/7, and being reunited with family members.
The project, running for two and a half years, is featured in an article in Annals of Internal Medicine, and so far has granted wishes to 56 dying patients and their 200 family members.
It is the only program of its kind, says Deborah Cook, an ICU physician at St. Joe’s, and a McMaster University professor of medicine and clinical epidemiology.
For the full article please visit the Hamilton Spectator website.
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