Improving Palliative Care in the ICU

Improving Palliative Care
in Emergency Medicine

Professional Organizations & Awards

Improving ICU palliative care has been made a priority by all major organizations representing professionals caring for critically ill patients and their families. We provide a list of such organizations and of awards that recognize excellence in palliative care and end-of-life care in the ICU as well as other settings.

  • American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) The major U.S. professional organization for physicians specializing in hospice and palliative medicine. It also admits nurses and other health care providers to its membership. AAHPM offers a variety of educational resources and programs, including self-study materials such as the UNIPACS hospice and palliative care training series and a continuing education curriculum.
  • American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) A large specialty nursing organization that has prioritized palliative care and end-of-life care among its major advocacy initiatives. AACN provides a Palliative and End-of-Life Care Self-Assessment on its Web site and an e-learning course on this topic.
  • American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) Represents medical professionals in cardiopulmonary and critical care medicine. Among its networks of special-interest groups is the Palliative and End-of-Life Care Network. One of four focus areas of the CHEST Foundation (the philanthropic arm of ACCP) is ICU palliative care.
  • American College of Surgeons (ACS) Sponsors the Surgical Palliative Care Task Force through its Division of Education. On the ACS Web site, the task force provides citations, information about palliative medicine specialty training for surgeons and links to other relevant Web sites.
  • American Thoracic Society (ATS) A professional organization representing physicians, research scientists, nurses and other allied health care professionals including those specializing in critical care. ATS publications include the American Review of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. It has many educational offerings and posts an electronic Patient Information Series of informational flyers.
  • Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) Co-sponsor of The IPAL-ICU Project, CAPC provides tools, training and technical assistance for palliative care programs in hospitals and other health care settings. ICU-specific content can be found among CAPC's educational offerings, including the CAPC Connect Forum and the CAPC National Seminar.
  • European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) An international association representing physicians, nurses, and other allied healthcare professionals working in critical care settings. ESICM promotes education, research and professional development. A post-graduate course given at the ESICM Annual Congress provides training in skills for clinician communication with ICU families.
  • Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) A specialty nursing organization, HPNA co-sponsors the National Assembly with the American Association of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. It provides a variety of educational resources and programs, including e-learning courses.
  • National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) Represents hospice professionals. NHPCO makes informational materials and other resources on palliative care for professionals, patients and families available via its Web site.
  • Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) A multiprofessional organization representing all disciplines on the critical care team. Publications include the peer-reviewed journals Critical Care Medicine and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. SCCM's LearnICU Web page provides educational materials for providers. The MyICUCare Web site is specifically for patients and families.

Awards