PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS OF PALLIATIVE UNITS AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PALLIATIVE UNITS AND INTENSIVE CARE

Abstract

Ponte Academic JournalNov 2018, Volume 74, Issue 11 PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS OF PALLIATIVE UNITS AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PALLIATIVE UNITS AND INTENSIVE CAREAuthor(s): Iskender Kara ,Iskender Kara, Bekir Tezcan, Hasan Nabi Undar, Halit Karaca, Faruk CicekciJ. Ponte - Nov 2018 - Volume 74 - Issue 11 doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2018.11.4 Abstract:Background: The relationship between palliative units and intensive care is an under-examined issue. \r\nObjectives: This study was aimed to investigate general characteristics of patients in palliative care unit(PCU) and patient transfers between these units and intensive care units(ICU).\r\nMethod: Patients who were followed up at the PCU were reviewed retrospectively. The study group patients were divided into three groups as a discharge, ICU transfer and exitus. The characteristics of patients receiving both palliative care after intensive care and intensive care after palliative care treatment were evaluated.\r\nResults: A total of 337 patients were followed in the PCU during the study period. 138 of these patients were admitted from the ICU. The mortality rate of the PCU was 16.3%(55 patients). The mortality were higher in patients with malignancy-related complications (p<0,001) and the discharge rate were higher in patients with orthopedic reasons(p=0.016). Exitus group had longer palliative hospitalizations(p=0.008), while ICU transfers group had longer hospitalizations(p<0.001). The mean Karnofsky Performance Score was significant higher in the discharge group (p < 0.001). Palliative care patients were transferred to ICU at a rate of 10.1%(n:34). The patients were mostly transferred into ICU for respiratory failure (91,2%), unconsciousness (82,4%), hemodynamic problems (70,6%) and infections (52,9%). The mortality rate was 97%(n:33) in the ICU transfer group. Only one patient (3%) was returned to palliative unit after ICU.\r\nConclusion: The patients with high mortality that would not benefit from intensive care treatment would be more suitable to follow up in the PCU in the end of their life. Download full text:Check if you have access through your login credentials or your institution Username Password