Introduction: The main aims are to identify adult patients in need of palliative care who are interned in acute care hospitals on the island of Madeira and to learn more about the use of the Liverpool Care Pathway as a guideline for the care provided in the last phases of life. Methodology: This is a descriptive, transversal, observational study. It was carried out by means of the completion of a form, based on the Gold Standards Framework Prognostic Indicator Guidance, which was given to the doctors in charge of the patients and to the department head nurse. Results: 385 patients were evaluated, of whom 129 (33,5%) were identified as needing palliative care. The average age was 73 years. The average length of internment was 15 days. 70% of the patients presented with "non-oncological" disease requiring palliative care and 30% with “oncological” disease. The majority of patients in the study were in Internal Medicine (39%), followed by those in General Surgery (12%) and Orthopaedics(11%). The greatest percentage of occupation of beds was in Haemato-Oncolology (73%). In the “oncological” group, digestive and respiratory pathologies were the most prevalent, while in the “non-oncological” group respiratory and cardiovascular pathologies were predominant. 94% of patients had not been referred to the Palliative Care department, the main reason being that “They are still receiving active treatment”. 96 health professionals responded to the form. Of these, 94% were unaware of the Liverpool Care Pathway. Discussion: The prevalence of patients in need of palliative care identified in this study appears to be similar to that found in the scientific literature. It is necessary to create or adapt health programmes and policies that are aimed at the needs of this population. There appears to be considerable lack of awareness of the Liverpool Care Pathway. It is important that a programme of dissemination and of training for health professionals be created. Conclusion: 129 patients (33.5% of the total) in need of palliative care were identified in the acute care hospitals on the island of Madeira. 94% of healthcare professionals responded that they were unaware of the Liverpool Care Pathway.
- Mestrado em Cuidados Paliativos
Identificação dos doentes com necessidades paliativas nos hospitais de agudos da Ilha da Madeira
Passos, V. J. O. T. D. (Student). 3 Aug 2015
Student thesis: Master's Thesis