Retrospective analysis of hospitalized patients in Tepecik Training and Research Hospital Internal Medicine Palliative Care Unit

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the patients hospitalized in palliative care unit of our hospital. Patients and methods: In the study, clinical files of 258 patients (104 males, 154 females; mean age 61.4 years; range 19 to 93 years) hospitalized in palliative care unit of internal medicine clinic of our hospital between 12 June 2013 and 31 December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Files of the patients were evaluated regarding sex, age, symptoms, clinical features, diagnosis, and duration of hospital stay. Results: Of the patients, 86 (33.3%) were hospitalized due to malignancy and malignancy-related complications. Forty-four patients (17%) were hospitalized for completion of antibiotic treatment and 44 patients (17%) were hospitalized due to diabetes-related complications. Twenty patients (7.7%) who had been confined to bed due to Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular disease or femur fracture were hospitalized for the care of their pressure ulcers and nutrition treatment. Mean duration of hospital stay was 9.4 days. Conclusion: In the world, palliative care units and programs mainly focus on oncology patients. However, the increase in elderly population and chronic diseases all over the world increase the requirement for non-cancer palliative care.

Surveillance analysis and microbiological profiles of nosocomial infections in a palliative care center

“…Respiratory system diseases were the second and cardiovascular system diseases were the third most common causes of hospital admissions (Table -3). In the study conducted by Komaç et al, patients received treatment for malignancy, followed up for the completion of long-term antibiotic therapy, and given treatment for diabetes and complications at rates of 33%, 17%, and 17% respectively (14). The study performed by Turgut et al reported that patients were followed up for malignancy, cerebrovascular diseases, and cognitive disorders at rates of 28.5%, 25.5%, and 17.6%, respectively (15).…”

Retrospective Analysis of Patients Followed at Van Training and Research Hospital Palliative Care Unit

“…It is not only maintenance done in the last period of life but it is a form of treatment that should be integrated in the treatment for prolonging the life span regardless of the disease stage (2). According to the definition of the World Health Organization, 'the approach aims to early identification, evaluation and treatment of pain and other physical and psychological problems that may occur in people with serious illness, and to increase the quality of life in people with lifethreatening diseases and their families (3).…”