The American journal of hospice & palliative care
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Jan 2020
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD): A Descriptive Study From a Canadian Tertiary Care Hospital.
In June 2016, the Government of Canada passed Bill C-14 decriminalizing medically assisted death. Increasing numbers of Canadians are accessing medical assistance in dying (MAiD) each year, but there is limited information about this population. ⋯ Patients seeking MAiD at our institution were similar to those described in other jurisdictions where assisted dying is legal and represent a group for whom autonomy and independence is critical. We noted a very high rate of risk of loss of capacity, suggesting a need for both earlier assessments and regular monitoring.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Jan 2020
Increased Length of Stay Associated With Antibiotic Use in Older Adults With Advanced Cancer Transitioned to Comfort Measures.
Antibiotic use may increase hospital length of stay (LOS) among older patients with advanced cancer who are transitioned to comfort measures. ⋯ Antibiotic use among patients with advanced cancer who are transitioned to comfort measures is associated with longer LOS. These data illustrate the importance of tradeoffs associated with antibiotic use, such as unintended increased LOS, when striving for goal-concordant care near the end of life.