The American journal of hospice & palliative care
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Dec 2016
Observational StudyA Protocol for the Control of Agitation in Palliative Care.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Dec 2016
ReviewCommunication Within Hospice Interdisciplinary Teams: A Narrative Review.
Hospice care is coordinated through an interdisciplinary team (IDT), which assures that a holistic care plan based on the patient's wishes is implemented. The extent to which an IDT provides quality care may be associated with how effectively they communicate within the team as well as with patients, caregivers, and families. ⋯ Although the existing literature sheds some light on communication within hospice IDTs, further research is needed. Inquiry into the communicative process of IDTs in settings other than team meetings, such as during patient visits or informal settings, would provide a more comprehensive representation of how communication influences IDT dynamics and overall team functioning.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Dec 2016
Barriers to the Collaboration Between Hematologists and Palliative Care Teams on Relapse or Refractory Leukemia and Malignant Lymphoma Patients' Care: A Qualitative Study.
Palliative care service (PCS) has been shown to be utilized less in patients with leukemia and malignant lymphoma than in those with solid tumors. Previous studies have suggested hematologists' limited awareness of PCS as one of the reason for low PCS referral in hematology. However, little is known about such an awareness and potential barriers to collaboration between hematologists and PCS. ⋯ We have identified hematologists' and palliative care specialists' perceptions of the HPCT's roles and the barriers to their collaboration. A better understanding of such barriers may lead to effective collaboration between hematologists and the HPCT.
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Home health services in the United States(US) have been on a rise. Hospice patients cope with diverse physical and pain symptoms; medical devices are used for symptom management to improve their quality-of-care at end-of-life. ⋯ In conclusion, the study highlights medical device use in home hospice care for end-of-life symptom management. It noted the significant use of IV infusion pumps and patient controlled analgesia. Conversely, there is little use of TPN or CPAP in patients with anorexia or dyspnea. While missing data on critical symptom evaluations regrettably raises questions about the validity of the study, the NHHCS serves as an important reservoir of data on the growing population of home hospice patients.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Dec 2016
Fatigue in Patients With Advanced Terminal Cancer Correlates With Inflammation, Poor Quality of Life and Sleep, and Anxiety/Depression.
To assess which laboratory and clinical factors are associated with fatigue in patients with terminal cancer. ⋯ In patients with advanced cancer, fatigue is a common symptom associated with the presence of inflammation, poor quality of sleep, depression/anxiety, and poor quality of life.