J Formos Med Assoc
-
Comparative Study
Medical expenditure and family satisfaction between hospice and general care in terminal cancer patients in Taiwan.
As the number of terminal cancer patients increases, several care models have been adopted to provide better care quality and reduce medical expenditure. This study compared inpatient medical expenditure and family satisfaction in a hospice ward (HW) and general ward (GW) for terminal cancer patients in Taiwan. ⋯ For terminal cancer patients, hospice care can improve family satisfaction while reducing medical expenditure in Taiwan.
-
Severe sepsis and septic shock are life-threatening disorders. Integrating treatments into a bundle strategy has been proposed to facilitate timely resuscitation, but is difficult to implement. We implemented protocol-driven therapy for severe sepsis, and analyzed retrospectively the key process indicators of mortality in managing sepsis. ⋯ Protocol-driven therapy for sepsis was put into clinical practice. Early resuscitation and ICU bed availability were key process indicators in managing sepsis, to reduce mortality.