1.Intervention by PCT and Problems Awaiting Solution at Anjo Kosei Hospital: Usefulness of Rounds of Patients Receiving Opioids
Kazuyuki NAKAMURA ; Takanori MIURA ; Hiroyuki MANSHIO ; Eiji YONEYAMA ; Yoji SUGIURA ; Akio KATSUMI ; Mika SHIMADA ; Akiko OGINO ; Tomoko KOIKE ; Mamiko TAKEUCHI ; Yoriyuki NAKAMURA ; Yoshitaka ONO ; Jinwoo LEE
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 2012;61(1):8-15
In order to intervene in the management of pain of cancer from an early stage. Our palliative care team (PCT), including pharmacists, makes the ward rounds (screening rounds) of the patients receiving opioids at our hospital. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of screening rounds activity by the PCT and its current problems, and to explore how to resolve the problems. We retrospectively studied the records of 196 patients who had receivede interventions by the PCT, with regard to intervention status and prescription proposal (228 subjects) about drug therapy by us. Study groups were as follows: 103 patients to whom interventions were deliveed at the request of medical doctors (intervention request group) and 93 patients who had interventions by the PCT after PCT-screening rounds (screening group). PCT-screening rounds caused to increase the number of interventions by the PCT. After PCT-screening rounds, the cases of intervention started by the request of medical doctors, who had given no heed to PCT intervention, also increased in numher. In this study, some problems with palliative intervention were also brought to light. Even in the screening group where the PCT largely intervened, 33% of prescription proposal by the PCT was ignored. This problem may be, at least in part, due to inadequate communication between PCT and ward staff through an electronic medical recording card, leading to poor relationship between PCT and ward staff. In the future, the PCT needs to work cooperatively with ward staff through direct communication such as medical conference to perform better intervention.
2.A case of reversible disturbance of consciousness following leptomeningeal metastases
Kazuki Shimada ; Syo Goya ; Teppei Tsumori ; Mika Saijyo ; Taizo Higami ; Eriko Tani ; Sawa Takeoka ; Kanako Kurata ; Ayako Tanaka ; Masanari Hamaguchi ; Motohiro Tamiya ; Takayuki Shiroyama ; Naoko Morishita ; Norio Okamoto ; Hidekazu Suzuki ; Tomonori Hirashima ; Ichiro Kawase
Palliative Care Research 2014;9(4):528-532
Introduction:Hyponatremia, which is frequently present in patients with end-stage cancer, causes delirium and disturbance of consciousness and is considered a poor prognostic factor. We report a case of hyponatremia with hypopituitarism in association with leptomeningeal metastasis, resulting in reversible disturbance of consciousness. Case report:A 77 year-old female received chemotherapy at our hospital for postoperative recurrence of lung cancer, and best supportive care due to a side effect. After transfer to another hospital, she experienced a sudden disturbance of consciousness and was returned to our hospital. A detailed examination resulted in a diagnosis of hyponatremia from hypopituitarism following leptomeningeal metastasis involving the cerebral ventricles. Hyponatremia was improved by NaCl supplement and hormone replacement, followed by recovery from disturbance of consciousness. Discussion:QOL of patients with end-stage cancer can be improved through the active treatment of reversible causes of disturbance of consciousness. Conclusion:When severe hyponatremia is detected in cancer patients, it is important to consider the possibility of hypopituitarism with brain metastasis or meninges dissemination in the differential diagnosis.