Symptom relief and palliative care during the last week of life among patients with heart failure : a national register study
Årestedt, Kristofer, 1968- (författare)
Linköpings universitet,Linnaeus University,Linnéuniversitetet,Institutionen för hälso- och vårdvetenskap (HV),Linköping University, Sweden,Avdelningen för omvårdnad,Medicinska fakulteten,Linnaeus Univ, Sweden,Linnéuniversitetet; Linköpings universitet
Umeå universitet,Avdelningen för medicin,Research Unit, Medicine-Geriatric, Skellefteå, Sweden,Umeå University, Sweden,Res Unit, Sweden; Umea Univ, Sweden
Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Centrum för personcentrerad vård vid Göteborgs universitet (GPCC),Institutionen för vårdvetenskap och hälsa,University of Gothenburg Centre for person-centred care (GPCC),Institute of Health and Care Sciences
Lund University,Lunds universitet,Palliativt Utvecklingscentrum,Forskargrupper vid Lunds universitet,The Institute for Palliative Care,Lund University Research Groups,Lund Univ, Sweden; Reg Skåne, Sweden,Lunds universitet, Region Skåne
Brännström, Margareta (författare)
Umeå universitet,Institutionen för omvårdnad,Umeå University, Sweden,Umeå Univ, Sweden
BACKGROUND: Heart failure is a disease with high morbidity, mortality, and physical and psychological burden. More knowledge about the care provided for patients with heart failure close to death is needed.OBJECTIVE: The aim was to describe key aspects of palliative care during the last week of life in patients with heart failure, as reported by healthcare professionals.DESIGN: This is a national register study.SETTING/SUBJECTS: The study included 3981 patients with diagnosed heart failure as the underlying cause of death.MEASUREMENTS: Data were obtained from the Swedish Register of Palliative Care, a national quality register that focuses on patients' last week of life, independent of diagnosis or care setting. The register includes information about care interventions connected with key aspects of palliative care. Data are reported retrospectively by a nurse or physician at the healthcare unit where the patient dies.RESULTS: Only 4.2% of patients with heart failure received specialized palliative care. In their last week of life, symptom prevalence was high, validated scales were seldom used, and symptoms were unsatisfactorily relieved. Around one-fifth (17%) of the patients in the study died alone. Less than half of family members had been offered bereavement support (45%). Moreover, one-third (28%) of the patients and more than half (61%) of the family members were reported to have had end-of-life discussions with a physician during the illness trajectory.CONCLUSION: The results indicate inadequate palliative care for patients with heart failure during their last week of life.
Ämnesord
MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)
MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)
MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP -- Hälsovetenskap -- Hälso- och sjukvårdsorganisation, hälsopolitik och hälsoekonomi (hsv//swe)
MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES -- Health Sciences -- Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy (hsv//eng)
MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap -- Övrig annan medicin och hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)
MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES -- Other Medical and Health Sciences -- Other Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere specified (hsv//eng)