Mrs Jezzine Marie Arguelles1
1Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
Jezzine “Jezz” Arguelles is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Supportive and Palliative Care Unit at Eastern Health, currently completing a Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (Research Stream) at the University of Melbourne. She also holds Postgraduate Diplomas in Nursing and Health Management. Originally from New Zealand, Jezz has led clinical coordination, education, and quality improvement across aged care, including working closely with palliative patients and liaising with Hospice New Zealand. She’s deeply passionate about palliative care and believes in the power of nurse-led projects to improve how we communicate, connect, and care.
Abstract:
Background:
Syringe drivers are widely used in palliative care to manage symptoms such as pain, nausea, agitation and breathlessness. However, patients and families often experience anxiety and uncertainty when first introduced to these devices, possibly due to the medical terminology associated with the device and limited accessible information.
Aim:
Recognising this important gap in practice, a nurse-led project sought to design a patient-friendly information sheet tailored to the palliative care context.
Method:
A three-month pilot period involved gathering feedback from patients, carers, and staff regarding their experiences with syringe drivers and existing communication resources. Patients and families highlighted the need for plain language, reassurance about the purpose of the device, and practical guidance for daily living. Their insights were carefully incorporated into the initial draft. Following the pilot, several versions were iteratively refined over the subsequent months with input from the multidisciplinary team, ensuring clinical accuracy while keeping the content consistently patient-centred.
Results:
The final resource featured simplified descriptions, photos of the device and its components, and a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section addressing common concerns such as comfort, showering and mobility. Families were reassured that syringe drivers are primarily for symptom relief, and not solely an end-of-life intervention. Feedback from staff indicated that the resource supported a more standardised discussion about syringe drivers across the team and ultimately helped reduce anxiety among patients and families.
Conclusion:
This project reflects how bedside innovations, grounded in patient and family’s perspectives, can directly improve the care experience in palliative settings. The aim is for the resource to be part of routine practice within the unit, with potential for wider implementation across the organisation. This initiative clearly demonstrates how co-design and nurse-led leadership drive practical and sustainable innovations in palliative care, fostering clearer communication and better patient outcomes.