Knowledge and preference of Filipino COPD patients on advance care planning: A cross-sectional survey

Objectives@#To explore the current experiences and perspectives of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with advance care planning (ACP).@*Methods@#A cross-sectional survey was conducted among patients diagnosed with COPD in the Philippine General Hospital. Results were illustrated using descriptive statistics.@*Results@#A total of 90 patients were interviewed and included in the analysis. Nearly all patients were unfamiliar with the terms ACP (95.55%), end-of-life care (99.89%), and do-not-resuscitate order (100%). The majority expressed a desire to have ACP discussions (94.44%) which were not viewed as distressing and were deemed beneficial (96.67%). Patients who were employed were more likely to express readiness to sign legal papers. Patients living with their nuclear family or living alone, and those with higher COPD assessment test (CAT) scores were more likely to relegate health care decisions to their doctors.@*Conclusion@#Most patients with COPD in our cohort are unfamiliar with ACP and have not received ACP discussions. Most think that it will improve healthcare and quality of life. Some demographic and clinical factors may make patients more likely to engage in ACP-related activities.

Planejamento antecipado de cuidados: guia prático / Advance care planning: a practical guide / Planificación anticipada de atención: una guía práctica

Resumo O planejamento antecipado de cuidados é um processo de discussões entre profissionais de saúde e pacientes que permite a tomada de decisão compartilhada quanto a objetivos de cuidados de saúde, atuais e/ou futuros, com base nos desejos e valores do paciente e em questões técnicas do cuidado. É considerado fundamental na prestação de cuidados de excelência em fim de vida, permitindo que profissionais de saúde alinhem os cuidados prestados com o que é mais importante para o paciente. Apesar de seus benefícios, ainda é muito pouco realizado na prática clínica, especialmente no Brasil. Considerando a necessidade de guias práticos de planejamento antecipado de cuidados adaptados à realidade brasileira, pautados em estratégias de comunicação empática, este estudo é uma proposta de guia baseada em revisão integrativa da literatura (PubMed e SciELO), com recomendações de evidências atuais, incluindo instrumentos validados para o português (Brasil), para facilitar sua implementação na prática clínica.

Abstract Advance care planning is a process of discussion between healthcare professionals and patients that enables shared decision-making on current and/or future healthcare goals, based on patients' desires and values and technical care issues. Advance care is considered essential in the provision of quality terminal care, allowing healthcare professionals to align the care provided with what is most important to the patient. Despite its benefits, it is still underused in clinical practice, especially in Brazil. Considering the need for practical guides for advance care planning adapted to the Brazilian reality, drawing on empathetic communication strategies, this study is a guide proposal based on an integrative literature review (PubMed and SciELO), with recommendations of current evidence, including instruments validated for Portuguese (Brazil), to facilitate its implementation in clinical practice.

Resumen La planificación anticipada de atención es un proceso de discusión entre los profesionales de la salud y los pacientes que permite la toma de decisiones relacionadas a los objetivos de atención médica actuales y/o futuros, basadas en los deseos y valores del paciente y en cuestiones técnicas de la atención. Resulta ser una apropiada atención terminal, ya que estos profesionales pueden adecuar la atención con los deseos del paciente. Pese a sus beneficios, es poco realizada en la práctica clínica, especialmente en Brasil. Dada la necesidad de guías prácticas para la planificación anticipada de atención, adaptadas a la realidad brasileña y basadas en estrategias comunicativas empáticas, este estudio propone una guía a partir de una revisión integradora de la literatura (PubMed y SciELO), con recomendaciones de evidencia actual, incluidos instrumentos validados para el portugués brasileño para facilitar su aplicación en la práctica clínica.

Planificación avanzada del cuidado y adecuación del esfuerzo terapéutico en pediatría: fundamento y procedimiento / Advanced care planning and adequacy of therapeutic effort in pediatrics: rationale and procedures / Planejamento avançado do cuidado e adequação do esforço terapêutico na pediatria: base e procedimento

Las mejoras en la calidad de vida de la población y los avances de la medicina han contribuido al aumento de la sobrevida de niños y adolescentes, así como también un aumento progresivo de niños con enfermedades o condiciones de salud crónicas, complejas, dependientes de dispositivos médicos y/o tecnología, que conviven con la posibilidad de complicaciones que amenazan sus vidas. Esta situación implica múltiples desafíos en los procesos de toma de decisiones respecto a la pertinencia y proporcionalidad de medidas diagnósticas, terapéuticas y de monitorización, considerando el beneficio real y/o la carga de sufrimiento, que las mismas pueden determinar en la calidad de vida del niño y su familia. En los últimos años, en el marco de la atención sanitaria, se han incorporado los conceptos y procedimientos de planificación avanzada del cuidado (PAC) y limitación o adecuación del esfuerzo terapéutico (AET) que se presentan. El objetivo de este documento es describir las definiciones básicas de conceptos necesarios para comprender e implementar procesos de PAC y AET, el marco bioético y legal para dichos procesos, el procedimiento para la implementación de la definición de directivas de adecuación del esfuerzo terapéutico (DAET), elaborado por la Unidad de Cuidados Paliativos Pediátricos del Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell.

Improvements in the populations's quality of life and medical progress have contributed to the increase of survival rates of children and adolescents, as well as to a progressive rise in children with chronic, complex diseases or health conditions, dependent on medical devices and / or technology, who live with the possibility of life-threatening complications. This situation brings multiple challenges in the decision-making processes regarding the relevance and proportionality of diagnostic, therapeutic and monitoring measures, considering the real benefit and / or the burden that they can cause in the quality of life of the child and his family. In recent years, within the framework of health care, the concepts and procedures of advanced care planning and limitation or adequacy of therapeutic effort (ATE) have been incorporated. The aim of this paper is to describe the basic definitions needed to understand and implement ATE processes, the bioethical and legal framework for such processes, the procedure for the implementation of the definition of Directives for the Adequacy of Therapeutic Effort (DATE), prepared by the Pediatric Palliative Care Unit of the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center.

Melhoras na qualidade de vida da população e avanços na medicina têm contribuído para o aumento da sobrevida de crianças e adolescentes, bem como um aumento progressivo de crianças com doenças crônicas, complexas ou condições de saúde dependentes de dispositivos médicos e/ou tecnologia, que convivem com a possibilidade de complicações que ameaçam suas vidas. Essa situação traz consigo múltiplos desafios nos processos decisórios quanto à relevância e proporcionalidade das medidas diagnósticas, terapêuticas e de monitoramento, considerando o real benefício e/ou a carga de sofrimento, que podem determinar na qualidade de vida da criança e de sua família. Nos últimos anos, no âmbito da atenção à saúde, foram incorporados os conceitos e procedimentos de: planejamento avançado da atenção e limitação o adequação do esforço terapêutico (AET). O objetivo deste documento é descrever: as definições básicas de conceitos necessários para à compreensão e implementação dos processos da PAC e AET, do marco bioético e legal para tais processos, do procedimento para a implementação da definição de diretrizes para a adequação do esforço terapêutico (DAET) elaborado pela Unidade de Cuidados Paliativos Pediátricos do Centro Hospitalar Pereira Rossell.

Manejo interdisciplinario para una óptima rehabilitación oral / Interdisciplinary management for optimal oral rehabilitation

Las estrategias para el éxito en la rehabilitación bucal requieren de la interrelación de varias disciplinas que en conjunto logren resultados predecibles y duraderos. La visión individualizada de cada área de especialidad puede conllevar a no ofrecer la mejor alternativa de tratamiento, es por ello que la valoración, el diagnóstico y la planificación del caso clínico debe ser realizada por un equipo interdisciplinario para evitar esta situación y crear una sinergia en donde el «todo sea mayor que la suma de sus partes¼. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un caso clínico en el cual intervinieron varias áreas de especialidad: periodoncia, prostodoncia, cirugía oral y patología bucal, logrando devolver la función y la estética a través del manejo interdisciplinario (AU)

The strategies for success in oral rehabilitation require the interrelation of several disciplines, which together, achieve predictable and lasting results. The individualized view of each specialty area may lead to not offering the best treatment alternative, which is why the assessment, diagnosis, and planning of the clinical case must be carried out by an interdisciplinary team to avoid this situation and create a synergy in where the «whole is greater than the sum of its parts¼. The objective of this work is to present a clinical case where several areas of specialty intervened: periodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, and oral pathology, thus achieving the return of function and aesthetics through interdisciplinary management (AU)

Cuidados de enfermagem dispensados ao potencial doador de órgãos em morte encefálica: uma revisão integrativa / Nursing care given to potential organ donor in brain death: an integrative review / Cuidados de enfermería dados a un donante de órganos potencial en la muerte cerebral: una revisión integrativa

OBJETIVO: Conhecer os cuidados de enfermagem dispensadas ao potencial doador de órgãos em morte encefálica. MÉTODO: Revisão integrativa que se dividiu em seis etapas. Os critérios de inclusão foram os artigos disponíveis completos e gratuitos, em qualquer idioma visto a grande escassez de estudos na área, publicados entre os anos de 2010 a 2016. RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados 179 artigos dos quais 17 cumpriram aos critérios estabelecidos e foram incluídos na presente revisão. O conhecimento é essencial para a realização das condutas normalmente realizadas. A abordagem familiar dos potenciais doadores também faz parte das condutas de enfermagem, visto ser uma abordagem multiprofissional. Esse ponto é um dos mais críticos do processo de doação, visto o grande obstáculo interposto pelos familiares. CONCLUSÃO: É de grande importância que o profissional de enfermagem tenha sistematizada as ações que adotará frente a um caso de morte encefálica, principalmente relacionado a conduta com familiares.(AU)

OBJETIVO: Conhecer os cuidados de enfermagem dispensadas ao potencial doador de órgãos em morte encefálica. MÉTODO: Revisão integrativa que se dividiu em seis etapas. Os critérios de inclusão foram os artigos disponíveis completos e gratuitos, em qualquer idioma visto a grande escassez de estudos na área, publicados entre os anos de 2010 a 2016. RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados 179 artigos dos quais 17 cumpriram aos critérios estabelecidos e foram incluídos na presente revisão. O conhecimento é essencial para a realização das condutas normalmente realizadas. A abordagem familiar dos potenciais doadores também faz parte das condutas de enfermagem, visto ser uma abordagem multiprofissional. Esse ponto é um dos mais críticos do processo de doação, visto o grande obstáculo interposto pelos familiares. CONCLUSÃO: É de grande importância que o profissional de enfermagem tenha sistematizada as ações que adotará frente a um caso de morte encefálica, principalmente relacionado a conduta com familiares.(AU)

OBJETIVO: Conocer la atención de enfermería proporcionada al potencial donante de órganos en la muerte cerebral. METODO: Revisión integrativa que se dividió en seis etapas. Los criterios de inclusión fueron los artículos disponibles completos y gratuitos, en cualquier idioma visto por la gran escasez de estudios en la zona, publicados entre los años 2010 y 2016. RESULTADOS: Encontramos 179 artículos, 17 de los cuales cumplieron con los criterios establecidos y fueron incluidos en esta revisión. El conocimiento es esencial para realizar las conductas que normalmente se realizan. El enfoque familiar de los donantes potenciales también forma parte de las conductas de enfermería, ya que es un enfoque multiprofesional. Este punto es uno de los más críticos del proceso de donación, dado el gran obstáculo que traen los miembros de la familia. CONCLUSION: Es de gran importancia que el profesional de enfermería haya sistematizado las acciones que adoptará ante un caso de muerte cerebral, principalmente relacionadas con la conducta con los miembros de la familia.(AU)

Ortodoncia Digital. Sistema de Alineación Mediante Placas Transparentes: caso clínico / Digital orthodontics. Alignment system using transparent plates: a clinical case

El tratamiento ortodóncico permite rehabilitar la función como también la estética facial y de la sonrisa. En muchos casos, esto puede realizarse sin la utilización de brackets. Las placas alineadoras realizan movimientos en las arcadas dentarias y las posibilidades y los resultados obtenidos cada vez son mejores. La utilización del sistema de alineación con placas permite que muchos pacientes, que no están dispuestos a utilizar brackets, encuentren una respuesta a sus problemas de oclusión (AU)

Prevalence of palliative sedation in the State of São Paulo: an emerging medical demand / Prevalência de sedação paliativa no Estado de São Paulo: uma demanda médica emergente

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the prevalence of palliative sedation use and related factors. Methods An observational study based on data collected via electronic questionnaire comprising 23 close-ended questions and sent to physicians living and working in the state of São Paulo. Demographic data, prevalence and frequency of palliative sedation use, participant's familiarity with the practice and related motivating factors were analyzed. In order to minimize memory bias, questions addressing use frequency and motivating factors were limited to the last year prior to survey completion date. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data. Results In total, 20,168 e-mails were sent and 324 valid answers obtained, resulting in 2% adherence. The overall prevalence of palliative sedation use over the course of professional practice was 68%. However, only 48% of respondents reported having used palliative sedation during the last year, primarily to relieve pain (35%). The frequency of use ranged from one to six times (66%) during the study period and the main reason for not using was the lack of eligible patients (64%). Approximately 83% of physicians felt comfortable using palliative sedation but only 26% reported having specific academic training in this field. Conclusion The prevalence of palliative sedation use is high, the primary indication being pain relief. However, frequency of use is low due to lack of eligible patients.

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar a prevalência e os fatores associados ao uso de sedação paliativa. Métodos Trata-se de estudo observacional realizado a partir do preenchimento de um questionário eletrônico com 23 questões objetivas enviado a médicos paulistas. Foram avaliados os dados demográficos, a prevalência e a frequência de uso da sedação paliativa; o nível de conhecimento a respeito da técnica; e as motivações para sua utilização. Visando minimizar o viés de recordação, questões sobre a frequência de uso e motivações para tal, as respostas deveriam se referir ao último ano em relação à data de preenchimento da pesquisa. Foi utilizada estatística descritiva para sumarizar os resultados. Resultados Foram enviados 20.168 e-mails e obtiveram-se 324 respostas válidas, resultando em 2% de adesão. A prevalência de utilização da sedação paliativa ao longo do histórico de atuação profissional foi de 68%, mas apenas 48% utilizaram a sedação paliativa no último ano, motivados, principalmente, pela presença de dor no paciente (35%). A frequência de uso foi de uma a seis vezes (66%), e a principal razão para não empregar a sedação paliativa foi a ausência de pacientes elegíveis (64%). Aproximadamente 83% dos médicos sentiam-se confortáveis quanto ao uso de sedação paliativa, mas apenas 26% possuíam formação teórica específica na área. Conclusão A prevalência de uso da sedação paliativa é alta, sendo utilizada, na maioria das vezes, para proporcionar o alívio da dor do paciente. Por outro lado, sua frequência de utilização é baixa, principalmente pela ausência de pacientes elegíveis.

Opinión de los profesionales de la salud sobre un documento de registro de directivas de adecuación de esfuerzo terapéutico en pediatría / Opinion of health professionals on a document to record guidelines for the adequacy of therapeutic efforts in pediatrics / Opinião dos profissionais de saúde sobre um documento de registro de diretrizes de adequação do esforço terapêutico em pediatria

Resumen: Introducción: en la asistencia médica de niños con enfermedades que amenazan o limitan la vida (EALV), en ocasiones, es necesario realizar adecuación del esfuerzo terapéutico (AET). La Unidad de Cuidados Paliativos Pediátricos del Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell (UCPP-CHPR) implementó un procedimiento de toma de decisiones sobre AET y registro en la historia clínica. Objetivo: conocer la opinión de los profesionales de la salud respecto a la utilidad del documento de registro de AET, las principales dificultades encontradas y el interés en capacitarse al respecto. Material y método: estudio descriptivo, transversal, mediante encuesta a médicos y licenciados de enfermería del CHPR entre el 23 de octubre y el 12 de noviembre de 2018. Se contó con el aval del Comité de Ética. Resultados: 75,4% (181/240) de los encuestados había asistido a niños con registro de AET; ocasionalmente: 73,5%, frecuentemente: 21,5%. Consideraron útil contar con registros de AET: 30%, y muy útil: 58%. Expresaron encontrar dudas éticas, clínicas o legales, ocasionalmente: 51,4%, frecuentemente: 27,6%; las principales dudas: responsabilidad al cumplir las directivas y la falta de firma de los padres. Las principales dificultades referidas fueron que los padres no cuentan con el documento durante la atención y que éstos están angustiados y solicitan "hacer todo". La mayoría de los profesionales expresó que sería útil o muy útil recibir más información o capacitación sobre las directivas de adecuación del esfuerzo terapéutico (DAET). Conclusiones: la mayoría de los profesionales encuestados habían participado en la atención de niños con registro de AET. Consideraron útil, o muy útil, contar con estos registros, pero expresaron tener dudas clínicas, éticas o legales ocasionalmente.

Summary: Introduction: during the medical care of children with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions (EALV), sometimes is necessary to adequate the therapeutic effort (ATE). The pediatric palliative care unit of the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center (PPCU- PRHC) implemented a decision-making procedure on ATE and its registration in the clinical history. Objective: to know: the opinion of health care professionals regarding the utility of the ATE registration document, the main difficulties found, and the interest in training activities. Material and method: descriptive, cross-sectional study, by means of a survey of physicians and nurses working in the PRHC, between 23 / 10-12 / 11/2018. It was endorsed by the Ethics Committee. Results: 75.4% (181/240) of the respondents had attended children with ATE documents, occasionally: 73.5%, frequently: 21.5%. They considered it useful to have ATE records: 30% and very useful: 58%. They expressed to find ethical, clinical and / or legal doubts, occasionally: 51.4%, frequently: 27.6%; the main doubts: responsibility when fulfilling the directives and the lack of signature of the parents. The main difficulties referred to were: that the parents do not have the document at the consultation, and that they are distressed and ask to "do everything". Most professionals expressed that it would be useful or very useful to receive more information and/ or training on ATE. Conclusions: most of the professionals surveyed had participated in the care of children with ATE registration. They considered it useful or very useful to have these records, but they expressed occasional clinical, ethical and/ or legal doubts.

Resumo: Introdução: na assistência médica de crianças com enfermidades que ameaçam ou limitam a vida (EALV), em algumas ocasiões, é necessário adequar o esforço terapêutico (AET). A Unidade de Cuidados Paliativos pediátricos do Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell (UCPP- CHPR) implementou um procedimento para a tomada de decisões sobre AET e registro no prontuário do paciente. Objetivo: conhecer a opinião dos profissionais de saúde em relação à utilidade do documento de registro de AET, as principais dificuldades encontradas, e o interesse em capacitar-se no tema. Material e método: estudo descritivo, transversal, com entrevistas a médicos e enfermeiras do CHPR, no período 23 de outubro - 12 de novembro de 2018. O estudo obteve a aprovação do Comitê de ética. Resultados: 75,4% (181/240) dos entrevistados haviam atendido crianças com registro de AET - ocasionalmente: 73,5%, frequentemente: 21,5%. Consideraram - útil contar com registros de AET: 30% e muito útil: 58%. Declararam encontrar dúvidas éticas, clínicas e/ou legais: ocasionalmente: 51,4%; frequentemente: 27,6%; as principais dúvidas foram: responsabilidade no cumprimento das diretrizes e a falta da assinatura dos pais. As principais dificuldades relatadas foram: os padres não dispõem do documento durante a atenção, estão angustiados e solicitam "fazer tudo". A maioria dos profissionais declarou que seria útil ou muito útil receber mais informação e/ou capacitação sobre as DAET. Conclusões: a maioria dos profissionais entrevistados havia participado no cuidado de crianças com registro de AET. Consideraram útil ou muito útil contar com estes registros, porém expressaram ter dúvidas clínicas, éticas e/ou legais em algumas oportunidades.

Preference and Performance Fidelity of Modified Korean Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MK-POLST) Items in Hospice Patients with Cancer / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: The Act on Hospice and Palliative Care and Decisions on Life-sustaining Treatment for Patients at the End of Life was enacted in 2016 and has taken effect since 2018 February. The content of this act was based on Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) in the United States and we modified it for terminal cancer patients registering hospice. The object of this study is to investigate preference and implementation rate for modified Korean POLST (MMK-POLST) items in hospice ward.METHODS: From February 1, 2017 to April 30, 2019, medical records regarding MMK-POLST were retrospectively analyzed for all patients hospitalized in the hospice ward of Gyeongsang National University Hospital.RESULTS: Of the eligible 387 total cohorts, 295 patients filled out MK-POLST. MK-POLST has been completed in 133 cases (44.1%) by the patient themselves, 84 cases (28.5%) by the spouse, and 75 cases (25.4%) by their children, respectively. While only 13 (4.4%) out of 295 MK-POLST completed patients refused the parenteral nutrition and 5 patients (1.7%) for palliative sedation, the absolute majority of 288 (97.6%) patients did not want cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and ventilators and 226 people (76.9%) for pressor medications. Kappa values for the matched strength of MK-POLST implementation were poor for all items except CPR, ventilators and palliative sedation.CONCLUSION: Hospice patients refused to conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ventilators and pressor agents. In contrast, antibiotics, parenteral nutrition and palliative sedation were favored in the majority of patients.

Clinical Milestones Preceding the Diagnosis of Multiple System Atrophy and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE: Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) are rapidly progressive forms of degenerative Parkinsonism. The difficulties of diagnosing MSA and PSP in their early stages may lead to delayed referral to appropriate specialists and distress to patients, as well as delaying symptomatic treatment and participation in clinical trials. This work aimed to describe the symptoms that patients with MSA and PSP developed and plot their emergence relative to final diagnosis using a median onset in months. METHODS: Forty-seven patients from the United Kingdom with MSA or PSP diagnosed by a movement disorder specialist were interviewed with carers or relatives to establish milestone onset. This was corroborated using clinical notes and letters. RESULTS: In the MSA cohort (n = 23), autonomic symptoms (median 5.5 months before diagnosis) and falls (median 1 month before diagnosis) were the two clinical milestones which occurred before diagnosis. In the PSP cohort (n = 24), falling was the only milestone which occurred before diagnosis (median of 18.5 months). CONCLUSION: This study shows that PSP patients experience falling more than a year and a half an average before receiving a diagnosis and although MSA patients also tended to fall, this was much closer to the time of diagnosis. Further work with larger cohorts may illustrate whether these preliminary findings can be generalised to guide diagnosis and management.

Communication about Death and Confidence Levels concerning Death-Related Issues among Koreans

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the current status of communication about death and confidence levels concerning death-related issues among Korean adults.METHODS: A survey was conducted to ascertain the frequency of death related communication, factors promoting and impeding such communication, and confidence levels concerning death-related issues. Data of 112 participants who completed the survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a chi square test, and multiple logistic regression.RESULTS: More than half of the participants (52.7%–84.0%) appeared to have infrequent (never/at least one) conversations about death or death-related issues. Owing to socio-cultural aspects, death-related communication was considered a taboo or an unpleasant topic of conversation. Additionally, indifference toward death inhibited people from communicating; however, personal experiences of death or morbidity and favorable social contexts promoted communication. Overall, the confidence levels concerning death-related issues was low. Only 17.9%–32.2% of the participants were confident/very confident about their preferences concerning death-related issues. The more people talked about death, the more likely they were to develop a confident attitude toward death-related issues (odds ratio, 3.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.37–8.69).CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that communication about death is being withheld among Koreans, and this could possibly lower their level of confidence regarding death-related issues. To achieve death with dignity, a ‘death culture’ needs to be promoted alongside legislation and infrastructure.

Good Death Awareness, Attitudes toward Advance Directives and Preferences for Care Near the End of Life among Hospitalized Elders in Long-term Care Hospitals / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to examine good death awareness, attitudes toward advance directives (ADs), and preference for care near the end-of-life (PCEOL) of hospitalized elders in long-term care hospitals. Relevant characteristics were investigated as well as correlation of the variables. METHODS: This descriptive research study involved 161 hospitalized elderly patients in long-term care hospitals. A self-report questionnaire was used to measure Good Death Scale, ADs Survey, PCEOL Scale, and general characteristics. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation with SPSS/WIN 23.0. RESULTS: In terms of good death awareness, a significant difference was observed; in according to age (F=3.35, p=.037), payer of treatment costs (F=3.98, p=.021), mobility (F=3.97, p=.021), heard discussion about ADs (t=−3.89, p<.001), and willing to complete ADs (t=2.12, p=.036). As far as attitudes toward ADs, the participants presented significant difference depending on religion (t=2.38, p=.018), average monthly income (F=3.91, p=.022), duration of hospital admission (F=5.33, p=.006), person to discuss ADs (t=−2.76, p=.006). On PCEOL, there was a significant difference, depending on religion (t=−3.59, p<.001) and perceived health status (F=3.93, p=.022). Finally, as for how the variables were related to each other, good death awareness and attitudes toward ADs had a weak positive correlation with PCEOL. CONCLUSION: To help seniors staying in nursing homes face a good death and enjoy autonomy, there should be educational and support systems that reflect each individual's sociodemographic characteristics so that the seniors can choose what kind of care they want to receive near the end-of-life.

Awareness, attitudes and preferences of patients 40 to 59 years of age on advance care planning in a private hospital

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Decisions during medical crisis made by the more-abled family member. More often than not, it is the adult son or daughter who makes it. As such, it creates stress and anxiety in the family who will be left behind.With Advance Care Planning (ACP), symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression are reduced for both the patients and their families.<br /><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To describe and examine the awareness, preferences and attitudes of in-patients aged 40-59 years old in Rivera Medical Center, Inc. towards advance care planning through the Advance Care Planning Questions (ACPQ).<br /><strong>METHODS:</strong> Descriptive,correlational, cross-sectional study design was used. Necessary permissions were obtained. The modified questionnaire underwent validity prior to the actual application. Coding was done in Microsoft Excel while the statistical analyses were made using SPSS.<br /><strong>RESULTS:</strong> The ACPQ Cebuano version has good reliability (Cronbach's a=0.71-0.92). Participants were 49 years old (±5.5), mostly female (62%), married (74%), Cebuano/Visayan (82%), at high school level (48%), Christian of Catholic (98%), regular employees (42%), earning less than Php 10,000 a month (36%), living with their spouse and children (66%), having hypertension (44%) or diabetes mellitus (22%), and in "good" health despite the current hospitalization (60%). Majority have limited awareness of ACP (14-22%) but were willing to discuss and learn about ACP (70%). Awareness, attitudes and preferences towards ACP can be greatly influenced by the doctors.<br /><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Limited public understanding and awareness cause the negative reception and slow progress of ACP in the Philippines. The unconscious fear of death accounts for the unease and hesitance whenever the topic on death surfaces, impeding acceptance of ACP. The doctor, being the preferred decision-maker, should therefore be competent enough to help the family understand and cause a positive attitude towards ACP.</p>

End-of-Life Care Practice in Dying Patients with Do-Not-Resuscitate Order: A Single Center Experience / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: End-of-life (EoL) decisions are challenging and multifaceted for patients and physicians. This study was aimed to explore how EoL care is practiced for patients with a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients who died after agreeing to a DNR order in 2016 at a university hospital. Characteristics including cause of death, intensity of EoL care, and other factors were reviewed and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Of total 375 patients, 170 patients (45.3%) died with malignancies, and 205 patients (54.6%) with other causes involving the central nervous system (19.2%), pulmonary (14.7%), cardiologic (6.7%) and infectious (6.4%) conditions. Both the cancer and non-cancer patient groups showed a short duration from DNR to death (median 3 days vs 2 days, P=0.629). An intensive care group comprising patients who received one or more intensive treatments such as ventilator (n=205) showed a higher number of non-cancer patients and a shorter duration from DNR to death than a group that withheld treatment before DNR (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EoL decisions were made very late by both cancer and non-cancer patients. About half of the patients did not have cancer, and two-thirds of them decided DNR during intensive treatment. To make a good EoL decision, a shared decision making with patients should be done at an earlier stage.

Care transition strategies in Latin American countries: an integrative review / Estrategias de transición de cuidados en los países latinoamericanos: una revisión integrativa / Estratégias de transição de cuidados nos países latino-americanos: uma revisão integrativa

Abstract OBJECTIVE To identify and analyze available literature on care transition strategies in Latin American countries. METHODS Integrative literature review that included studies indexed in PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL, SCOPUS databases, and the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), published in Portuguese, Spanish or English, between 2010 and 2017. RESULTS Eleven articles were selected and the strategies were grouped into components of care transition: discharge planning, advanced care planning, patient education and promotion of self-management, medication safety, complete communication of information, and outpatient follow-up. These strategies were carried out by multidisciplinary team members, in which nurses play a leading role in promoting safe care transitions. CONCLUSIONS Care transition activities are generally initiated very close to patient discharge, this differs from recommendations of care transition programs and models, which suggest implementing care transition strategies from the time of admission until discharge.

Resumen OBJETIVO Identificar la literatura disponible sobre estrategias de transición del cuidado entre niveles de atención a la salud en países de América Latina. MÉTODOS Revisión integradora que incluyó estudios indexados en las bases de datos PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL, Scopus y Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), publicados en portugués, español o inglés, entre 2010 y 2017. RESULTADOS Se seleccionaron once artículos y las estrategias fueron agrupadas en componentes de la transición del cuidado: planificación de alta, planificación anticipada de cuidados, educación del paciente y promoción de la autogestión, seguridad de la medicación, comunicación completa de las informaciones y acompañamiento ambulatorial. Estas estrategias fueron realizadas por miembros del equipo multidisciplinario, en los que las enfermeras desempeñan un papel de liderazgo en la promoción de transiciones de cuidados seguras. CONCLUSIÓN Las actividades de transición del cuidado generalmente se inician muy cerca del alta del paciente, esto difiere de las recomendaciones de programas y modelos de transición de cuidados, que sugieren la implementación de estrategias de transición del cuidado desde el momento de la admisión hasta la alta.

Resumo OBJETIVO Identificar a literatura disponível sobre estratégias de transição do cuidado entre níveis de atenção à saúde em países da América Latina. MÉTODOS Revisão integrativa da literatura que incluiu estudos indexados nas bases de dados PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL, SCOPUS e Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), publicados em português, espanhol ou inglês, entre 2010 e 2017. RESULTADOS Onze artigos foram selecionados e as estratégias foram agrupadas em componentes da transição do cuidado: planejamento de alta, planejamento antecipado de cuidados, educação do paciente e promoção do autogerenciamento, segurança da medicação, comunicação completa das informações e acompanhamento ambulatorial. Essas estratégias foram realizadas por membros da equipe multidisciplinar, nas quais enfermeiros desempenham um papel de liderança na promoção de transições de cuidados seguras. CONCLUSÕES As atividades de transição do cuidado geralmente são iniciadas muito próximas da alta do paciente, isso difere das recomendações de programas e modelos de transição de cuidados, que sugerem a implementação de estratégias transição de cuidado desde o momento da admissão até a alta.

Approach to the forgetful patient

Singapore has an ageing population with a projected 53,000 people aged ≥ 60 years living with dementia by 2020. Primary care doctors have the opportunity to initiate early work-up for reversible causes of cognitive dysfunction, allowing identification of comorbidities and discussion of medical therapy options. Early diagnosis confers the sick role on the patient, which allays frustration and explains events and behaviour that may have strained relationships with family and friends. The patient can be encouraged to plan for future health and personal care options with a Lasting Power of Attorney and/or Advance Care Planning. Objective cognitive tests (e.g. abbreviated mental test and Mini-Mental State Examination) and brain imaging are adjuncts that help in formulating the diagnosis. Referral to a hospital memory clinic activates a multidisciplinary team approach to dementia, including clinical consultation, dementia counselling, physiotherapy sessions on gait/fall prevention, occupational therapy sessions on cognitive stimulation and caregiver training.

Experiences and Opinions Related to End-of-Life Discussion: From Oncologists' and Resident Physicians' Perspectives / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to explore how oncologists and resident physicians practice end-of-life (EOL) discussions and to solicit their opinions on EOL discussions as a means to improve the quality of EOL care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey questionnaire was developed to explore the experiences and opinions about EOL discussions among oncologists and residents. Descriptive statistics, the t test, and the chisquare test were performed for the analyses. RESULTS: A total of 147 oncologists and 229 residents participated in this study. The study respondents reported diverse definitions of “terminal state,” and mostrespondents tried to disclose the patient's condition to the patient and/or family members. Both groups were involved in EOL care discussions, with a rather low satisfaction level (57.82/100). The best timing to initiate discussionwas consideredwhen metastasis or disease recurrence occurred orwhen withdrawal of chemotherapy was anticipated. Furthermore, the study respondents suggested that patients and their family members should be included in the EOL discussion. Medical, legal, and ethical knowledge and communication difficulties along with practical issues were revealed as barriers and facilitators for EOL discussion. CONCLUSION: This study explored various perspectives of oncologists and resident physicians for EOL discussion. Since the Life-Sustaining-Treatment Decision-Making Act will be implemented shortly in Korea, now is the time for oncologists and residents to prepare themselves by acquiring legal knowledge and communication skills. To achieve this, education, training, and clinical tools for healthcare professionals are required.

Consensus guidelines for the definition of the end stage of disease and last days of life and criteria for medical judgment

In Korea, the Hospice, Palliative Care, and Life-sustaining Treatment Decision-making Act was enacted in February 2016 in order to ensure that the patient's self-determination in end-of-life care processes is respected. To enhance physicians' understanding of this act and to provide proper criteria for medical judgment in variety of clinical settings, consensus guidelines were published in November 2016. In this article, the characteristics of these guidelines and related issues regarding the definitions of ‘the end stage of disease’ and ‘last days of life’ and the criteria for medical judgment are presented and summarized. According to the guidelines, the term ‘end stage of disease’ refers to a state in which there is no possibility of a fundamental recovery and the symptoms are expected to worsen within months. The terms ‘the last days of life’ and ‘the final days of life’ refer to a state in which, despite treatment, the patient's condition is worsening and death is impending, with no possibility of recovery. The attending physician and another relevant specialist should both judge a patient's medical condition as either ‘end stage of disease’ for hospice/palliative care or ‘the last days of life’ for dying patient care according to the law. Caregivers should provide appropriate medical information to eligible patients for palliative or ‘end stage of disease’ care through advance care planning. Therefore, it is critically necessary that caregivers understand the legitimate process of hospice/palliative and dying patient care based on the patient's wishes and best interests. Physicians should apply these consensus guidelines to eligible patients considering their clinical course and the patients' wishes.

Do not attempt resuscitation orders at the emergency department of a teaching hospital / Ordens de não ressuscitação no serviço de emergência de um hospital universitário

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify factors associated with not attempting resuscitation. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at the emergency department of a teaching hospital. The sample consisted of 285 patients; in that, 216 were submitted to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and 69 were not. The data were collected by means of the in-hospital Utstein Style. To compare resuscitation attempts with variables of interest we used the χ2 test, likelihood ratio, Fisher exact test, and analysis of variance (p<0.05). Results: No cardiopulmonary resuscitation was considered unjustifiable in 56.5% of cases; in that, 37.7% did not want resuscitation and 5.8% were found dead. Of all patients, 22.4% had suffered a previous cardiac arrest, 49.1% were independent for Activities of Daily Living, 89.8% had positive past medical/surgical history; 63.8% were conscious, 69.8% were breathing and 74.4% had a pulse upon admission. Most events (76.4%) happened at the hospital, the presumed cause was respiratory failure in 28.7% and, in 48.4%, electric activity without pulse was the initial rhythm. The most frequent cause of death was infection. The factors that influenced non-resuscitation were advanced age, history of neoplasm and the initial arrest rhythm was asystole. Conclusion: Advanced age, past history of neoplasia and asystole as initial rhythm were factors that significantly influenced the non-performance of resuscitation. Greater clarity when making the decision to resuscitate patients can positively affect the quality of life of survivors.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar fatores associados à não realização de ressuscitação. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado no serviço de emergência de um hospital universitário. A amostra foi composta por 285 pacientes, dos quais 216 foram submetidos à ressuscitação cardiopulmonar, e 69 não tiveram esta conduta. Os dados foram coletados por meio do in-hospital Utstein Style. Para comparar as tentativas de ressuscitação e as variáveis de interesse, utilizaram-se o teste do χ2, a razão de verossimilhança, o teste exato de Fisher e a análise de variância (p<0,05). Resultados: A não ressuscitação foi considerada injustificável em 56,5% dos casos, sendo que 37,7% não queriam ressuscitação e 5,8% foram encontrados mortos. Do total de pacientes, 22,4% tiveram parada cardíaca prévia, 49,1% eram independentes para Atividades de Vida Diária, e 89,8% tinham alguma história pregressa; 63,8% estavam conscientes, 69,8% estavam respirando e 74,4% tinham pulso palpável à admissão. A maioria dos eventos (76,4%) ocorreu no hospital, e a causa presumida de parada foi insuficiência respiratória em 28,7% e, em 48,4%, o ritmo inicial foi atividade elétrica sem pulso. A causa mais frequente de morte foi infecção. Os fatores que influenciaram na não realização de ressuscitação foram idade avançada, história de neoplasia e assistolia como ritmo inicial de parada. Conclusão: Idade avançada, história de neoplasia e assistolia como ritmo inicial foram os fatores que influenciaram significativamente na não realização de ressuscitação. Maior clareza na decisão de reanimar pode afetar positivamente a qualidade de vida dos pacientes.