The American journal of hospice & palliative care
-
Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Jan 2004
Comparative StudyPalliative care at the end of life: comparing quality in diverse settings.
There is growing awareness that pain and other symptoms are often poorly managed at the end of life. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to compare the quality of care provided to a convenience sample of 195 patients who died during a six-month period, using a retrospective chart review. Quality was defined by symptom documentation, use of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the final 48 hours of life, and determination of advance directives. ⋯ Symptom distress was common, and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures were widespread. These data suggest areas for improvement in clinical practice, in palliative care units, and in all settings where end-of-life care is provided. Also, the data can guide future research into the quality of care provided to dying persons.
-
Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Jan 2004
Current use of guidelines, protocols, and care pathways for symptom management in hospice.
Evidence-based guidelines or care pathways for symptom management could provide a means to reduce symptom distress in dying patients. We surveyed directors of nursing from hospices affiliated with the Population-based Palliative Care Research Network (PoPCRN) regarding their hospices' current use of and attitudes toward written symptom management materials. ⋯ Regardless of the composition, these materials were perceived as helpful. Given this favorable view, variations in the use and content of written materials may signify an opportunity to decrease symptom distress in hospice through the implementation of evidence-based symptom management resources.
-
Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Jan 2004
Case ReportsAcute pain in advanced cancer: an opioid dosing strategy and illustration.
Opioid dosing strategies for acute pain differ from strategies for chronic pain management. The basic principles of effective, safe dosing are rapid titration to the onset of analgesia followed by maintenance infusions based upon the titrated dose. This article presents guidelines and case histories for safe and effective dosing.