Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Apr 2021
Meta AnalysisThe effectiveness of hope-fostering interventions in palliative care: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
The concept of hope is an important theme in chronic illness and palliative care and has been associated with increased psycho-spiritual well-being and quality of life. Psycho-spiritual interventions have been described in this population, but no systematic review of hope-enhancing interventions or hopelessness-reducing interventions has been conducted for persons with palliative care diseases. ⋯ Evidence suggests that interventions can be effective in increasing hope in palliative care patients.
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Palliative medicine · Apr 2021
Multicenter StudyDifferences among institutions in the prevalence of and indications for urinary catheterization of advanced cancer patients at palliative care units: A multicenter prospective cohort study (EASED).
Studies on the appropriate use of urinary catheters for cancer patients at the end of life are limited. ⋯ This study revealed that the institutional prevalence of urinary catheterization in advanced cancer patients at palliative care units widely varied. Further studies are needed to establish the appropriate use of urinary catheters, especially in patients with difficulty in moving safely, exhaustion on movement, and restlessness or agitation.
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Palliative medicine · Apr 2021
Validation of the responding to urgency of need in palliative care (RUN-PC) triage tool.
The Responding to Urgency of Need in Palliative Care (RUN-PC) Triage Tool is a novel, evidence-based tool by which specialist palliative care services can manage waiting lists and workflow by prioritising access to care for those patients with the most pressing needs in an equitable, efficient and transparent manner. ⋯ The RUN-PC Triage Tool appears to be a reliable and valid tool for the prioritisation of patients referred to specialist inpatient, hospital consultation and community palliative care services.
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Palliative medicine · Apr 2021
Palliative care consultation in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.
Palliative care consultation has shown benefits across a wide spectrum of diseases, but the utility in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia remains unclear despite its high mortality. ⋯ Palliative care consultation was infrequent during the management of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, and a substantial number of patients died during their hospitalizations without palliative care consult. Given the reported benefit in other medical conditions, palliative care consultation may have a role in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Selecting patients who may benefit the most should be explored.