Pessoas com necessidades paliativas no Centro Hospitalar do Algarve, EPE

: número e adequação dos cuidados nos últimos dias de vida

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In Portugal, between 1988 and 2010, hospital deaths increased by 45% to 62%. However, there are no data on the percentage of people with palliative needs in hospital setting, and degree of use the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP). For that reason put up the questions of departure for the research, "What percentage of people admitted to hospital context hold that palliative needs?”, and “What percentage use of the LCP in guiding care at the end of life?". AIM: Determine the number of elderly people with palliative needs admitted to the CHA, EPE. Assess whether the LCP is being used as a guiding guide to the provision of health care. Identify reasons for not using the LCP, if necessary. METHODS: Descriptive study, transversal and observational. To the date of the study (May 13, 2014), were hospitalized 650 adults in the CHA, EPE. The sample consisted of 605 persons evaluated by respondents according to the survey based on the " Surprise Question". RESULTS: We identified 315 adults with palliative needs (48.5% of sample). About 85.95% (n = 520) of hospitalized persons suffering from one or multiple diseases / chronic severe conditions with geriatric syndromes and / or related dementias. The LCP was not to be used because the majority (97.3%) unaware of its existence. Of the 5 respondents who knew LCP, 4 reported not using it. 3 by considering not appropriate facilities / resources in the service / institution to implement and 1 because it was "criticized controversial and subject to adjustment by the NHS (England)". CONCLUSIONS: Early identification of people with palliative needs is the cornerstone of the care organization. The use of best practice guidance documents is crucial, because they are the basis for teamwork, effective communication and improve the quality of care.

Date of Award	4 Mar 2016
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Alexandre Castro Caldas (Supervisor) & Manuel Luís Capelas (Co-Supervisor)