Supportive and palliative care at the University Hospital Lausanne

Abstract

The development of supportive and palliative care services within the Canton of Vaud in Switzerland is traced, and the current situation and future plans are outlined.

From Roots to Flowers: Challenges of Developing a Sustainable Palliative Care Program

“…Many specialist palliative care services have been reported and described in detail in the literature (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(16)(17)(18)(19). These descriptions usually concentrate on quantitative measures such as population, staff, and patient turnover.…”

“…The establishment of a number of palliative care services has previously been described (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). The San Salvatore group described not only their individual programs, but also made • units after the start, and the last four were still hoping that the promise of bed units would be fulfilled within a reasonable time, despite political and managerial obstacles.…”

Comprehensive Assessment of Patients in Palliative Care

“…About half of these consultations are requested for symptom control and the other half for assistance with discharge of the patient at home or to surrounding palliative care facilities. 20 During consultations for assistance with discharge, symptoms were frequently identified and treated by the palliative care consultation service. To be included in the study, patients had to have a diagnosis of cancer and had to be able to communicate relevant information: 26 patients were excluded (e.g., patients with nonmalignant diseases, comatose patients, or those with important communication or language difficulties).…”

Palliative care in the University Hospital Lausanne: from consultations to an integrated regional program

“…Palliative care in the University Hospital Lausanne: from consultations to an integrated regional program C. Mazzocato We have reported previously on the development of palliative care in Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud, where different structures in different places covering different needs have been developed over the last decade [1]. In the University Hospital Lausanne, an 800-bed facility and academic center for the region, a Palliative Care Unit was established in October 1996 with the primary goal of consultation within the University Hospital.…”