Purpose: The Liverpool Care Pathway is a clinical path for the dying patient. In this study, a pilot study of a Japanese language version of the Liverpool Care Pathway Powered by Editorial Manager® and Preprint Manager® from Aries Systems Corporation (henceforth, “LCP”) was carried out in order to investigate the significance of using LCP and the possibility of its introduction. Method: 1. LCP was used on inpatients in the palliative care wards, and the status of the achieved care goal was evaluated. 2. A questionnaire survey regarding the usefulness of LCP was conducted on the nursing staff of the study facility. Results: The care goal indicated by LCP were achieved in 80% or more of the patients and families. The nursing staff members were asked to evaluate of LCP was evaluated the usefulness of LCP in confirming that the patient is in the dying phase, reviewing end-of-life care, continuous integrated care giving, and education for nurses with limited experience with end-of-life care. Conclusion: The high degree of achievement of the care goal in LCP shows concordance between LCP and end-of-life care at the study facility, and shows that it is possible for LCP to be introduced as an index of clinical pathway for end-of-life care giving. In addition, the nurses' evaluations imply the significance of LCP in reinforcement and education with regard to end-of-life care giving.

Background: The aim of this study was to develop the Japanese language version of the Liverpool Care Pathway － Home (LCP－H), and to examine the feasibility of the LCP－H in a pilot study. Methods: LCP－H was administered to cancer patients who were predicted to be in their last few days. We evaluated the achieved care goals of LCP－H. A cross－sectional anonymous questionnaire was administered to home nurses who used LCP－H to evaluate usefulness in using LCP－H. Results: LCP－H was used to 35 patients. The care goals of LCP－H were achieved in almost 80%. The nurses evaluated the usefulness of LCP－H: Providing to continuous end－of－life care each staff, Communication well between home nurses and co－medical home staff, and Education for home nurses with limited experience with end－of－life care. Conclusion: The feasibility of LCP－H was confirmed. Therefore, LCP－H should help home nurses to care for dying patients and their families as guide for end－of－life care in home, and improve the quality of end－of－life care in home. However, because the LCP is now being phased out in the UK, it may be necessary to develop an original education tool to assist in care for dying patients and their families in Japan.

Purpose: To clarify the family-perceived usefulness of a pamphlet for families of imminently dying patients. Methods: Physicians and/or nurses provided medical and practical information about the dying process using a pamphlet for families of imminently dying patients. We surveyed family members 6 months after the death of the patient about the perceived usefulness. Results: We sent out a questionnaire to 325 bereaved, and obtained an answer from 260 (response rate: 85%). Overall, 81% reported the pamphlet to be “very useful” or “useful”. The experience reported by the bereaved included: “Helped me to understand the dying process” (84%); “Helped me to understand how symptoms and changes occur” (76%), “Useful in preparation for patient's death“ (75%), “Helped me to understand the physical conditions of the patient” (75%), “Helped me to know what I can do for the patient” (74%). Conclusion: “A pamphlet for families of imminently dying patients” may be useful for members of an imminently dying patient's family.