Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Feb 2008
Quality of end-of-life treatment for cancer patients in general wards and the palliative care unit at a regional cancer center in Japan: a retrospective chart review.
In Japan, most cancer patients die in the hospital. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of end-of-life treatment for dying cancer patients in general wards and palliative care unit (PCU). ⋯ We found that families, not patients, consented to DNR, and life-sustaining treatments were appropriately withheld; however, patients on general wards received excessive hydration, and the use of palliative care drugs could be improved. Application of our findings can be used to improve clinical care in general wards.