Palliative medicine
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2016
Comparative StudyAccuracy of physician prognosis in heart failure and lung cancer: Comparison between physician estimates and model predicted survival.
Anticipating adverse outcomes guides decisions but can be particularly challenging in heart failure. ⋯ Less than half of physicians accurately estimate survival in heart failure. Cardiologists were more accurate than other specialties for heart failure symptoms and reduced ejection fraction but no different for heart failure symptoms and preserved ejection fraction.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2016
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in palliative care: A prospective study of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus prevalence in a hospital-based palliative care unit.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a common organism in hospitals worldwide and is associated with morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the prevalence in palliative care patients. Furthermore, there is no standardized screening protocol or treatment for patients for whom therapy concentrates on symptom control. ⋯ Our study suggests that the prevalence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among patients in an in-hospital palliative care unit is much higher than in other patient populations.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2016
A survey of views and practice patterns of dialysis medical directors toward end-of-life decision making for patients with end-stage renal disease.
Patients with end-stage renal disease report infrequent end-of-life discussions, and nephrology trainees report feeling unprepared for end-of-life decision making, but the views of dialysis medical directors have not been studied. ⋯ Views and reported practice patterns of medical directors are consistent with clinical practice guidelines for end-of-life decision making for patients with end-stage renal disease but inconsistent with patient perceptions.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2016
A service evaluation of an integrated model of palliative care of cystic fibrosis.
Patients with advanced cystic fibrosis have severe symptoms with a complex trajectory of exacerbations and recovery. They are often awaiting lung transplantation, and many die without receiving specialist palliative care. ⋯ This model has been successful in overcoming the difficulties in access to specialist palliative care for patients with cystic fibrosis.
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Palliative medicine · Jul 2016
'I think you just learnt as you went along' - community clergy's experiences of and attitudes towards caring for dying people: A pilot study.
Spiritual distress is a factor associated with poor outcomes at the end of life. Timely interventions, assessing and meeting spiritual distress, among patients are contained within nationally agreed guidance. Community clergy are well placed to work alongside healthcare professionals and chaplains to meet spiritual needs. ⋯ Creating opportunities for clergy and palliative care staff to meet and undertake shared training will enhance the quality and level of care for people dying at home who wish to receive spiritual support. Enabling clergy to develop links with local palliative care centres will enhance confidence for both clergy and staff.