A Survey of the Current Status of the Palliative Care at Long-term Care Units Established Together with Palliative Care Units
- VernacularTitle:緩和ケア病棟を併設している療養病棟における緩和ケアの実態調査
- Author:
Maki Murakami
;
Keiko Oishi
;
Shigeaki Watanuki
;
Keiko Iino
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: palliative care; long-term care unit; palliative care unit
- From:Palliative Care Research 2017;12(1):101-107
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the current status of the palliative care provided by long-term care unit that was established together with palliative care unit (PCU). Methods: Self-reported questionnaires were administered to long-term care unit administrators at 24 facilities that was established together with PCU. Questions included: managing the use of narcotic drugs, situation about receiving cancer patients, situation about cooperation with PCU, and difficulty with palliative care. Results: Eighteen (75%) facilities responded to the questionnaire. Fourteen facilities of respondents reported that narcotic drugs were available and usable in long-term care unit, and ten facilities reported that the narcotic drugs could be used in the same way as PCU could. Ten facilities reported that they had doctor(s) knowledgeable about palliative care or prescribing narcotic drugs, and 11 facilities reported that they had nurse(s) experienced about palliative care. Cancer patients were accepted in all 18 long-term care units. Transferring from long-term care unit to PCU due to medical condition changes after hospitalization had been carried out in 17 facilities. Unit administrator’s perceived difficulty lack of staffing, lack of staff expertise and education, and issues surrounding narcotic drug management. Conclusion: These long-term care units were providing palliative care for cancer patients in cooperation with PCU. The survey results indicated the need for solving human resource, educational, and administrative problems.