3 Wishes Program humanizes end-of-life care

In hospitals, healthcare teams tend to zero in on patients’ conditions and treatments. When patients are nearing the end of their lives, however, it’s important for them to feel like their whole selves.

Matthew Smith, teaching associate (Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine) and a physician assistant at UW Medical Center – Montlake in Seattle, founded the hospital’s 3 Wishes Program to create experiences and keepsakes that recognize the patient’s personality. 

When patients in some intensive care units have a high likelihood of dying in the hospital, anyone on their healthcare team can speak with them to identify and try to fulfill their wishes through the program. 

“This program really is about trying to grow and support compassionate, humanizing and patient-centered care for those who are dying in the hospital,” Smith said. “Instead of asking what is the matter with the patient, this program is really about reframing the question to what matters most to the patient.” 

Wishes commonly fall into one of three categories: humanizing the room, connecting with loved ones and creating keepsakes for them. Costs for attaining these wishes tend to be minimal and covered by donations. 

Since it began in 2022, the program has fulfilled about 1,500 wishes for more than 600 patients. It has improved end-of-life experiences for patients and their loved ones. It also helps healthcare teams by strengthening their connections with each other and reducing compassion fatigue, Smith said.