Caracterización del cuidador primario de enfermo oncológico en estado avanzado / Characterization of the primary caregiver of cancer patients in advanced stage

Introducción: En Cuba, los tumores malignos constituyen la segunda causa de muerte, con gran impacto en la dinámica familiar. Objetivos: caracterizar al cuidador informal oncológico y los aspectos que contribuyan a la calidad del cuidado domiciliario. Métodos: se realizó estudio descriptivo en el policlínico Diego Tamayo del municipio Habana Vieja durante el período de enero a junio del 2015. El universo estuvo constituido por 53 cuidadores informales de adultos oncológicos en estado avanzado. Para obtener la información se utilizó análisis documental y aplicación de encuesta, previo consentimiento informado. Resultados: la mayor representación de los cuidadores correspondió al sexo femenino, entre 60-64 y 55-59 años respectivamente. El nivel medio de escolaridad mostró superioridad numérica. Los cónyuges e hijos fueron el parentesco de mayor representatividad, con un período entre 1-3 años dedicado al rol de cuidador. Existió predominio con necesidad de instrucción para la atención paliativa domiciliaria, siendo los cuidadores satisfechos los de mayor representación. Conclusiones: la instrucción, asesoría, entrenamiento, aplicación de guías psicoeducativas y medidas de alivio, constituyen aspectos esenciales en la calidad de los cuidados paliativos domiciliarios, proporcionados en la fase avanzada de la enfermedad hasta la muerte y el duelo(AU)

Introduction: In Cuba, malignant tumors are the second leading cause of death, with great impact on family dynamics. Objectives: To characterize the informal caregiver and oncological aspects that contribute to the quality of home care. Methods: descriptive study was conducted at the polyclinic Diego Tamayo Habana Vieja municipality during the period from January to June 2015. The universe was composed of 53 informal caregivers of adults with advanced-stage cancer. Methods used: document analysis and survey application, prior informed consent. Results: the largest representation of caregivers were female between 60-64 years and 55 to -59 respectively. The average level of schooling showed numerical superiority. Spouses and children was the most representative relationship with a period of 1 -3 years dedicated to the role of caregiver. There was predominance in need of instruction for home palliative care, caregivers satisfied being the most represented. Conclusions: It is essential to improve and implement support programs caregiver respite services and temporary application of psychoeducational guidelines in primary care, to provide comprehensive palliative care from the time of diagnosis to death and mourning(AU)

Factors That Make It Difficult to Home Discharge of Cancer Patients with the Intention of Home Discharge

<p>Purpose: In Kasugai City Hospital, we have introduced palliative care clinical pathway with a focus on decision-making support on the intention of recuperation location in addition to symptom relief. In this study, it is intended to explore the factors that make it difficult to home discharge of cancer inpatients with the intention of discharged home on the basis of the information on the clinical pathway. Methods: The subject patients were cancer inpatients who had expressed the intention of the discharge to the home during period from June 2014 to August 2015. We examined the medical records of the target patient retrospectively. Logistic regression analysis was performed in order to clarify the factors that make it difficult to home discharge. Results: Of 43 patients, 25 patients (58.1%) were discharged from the hospital to the home. As a result of logistic regression analysis (multivariate analysis), delirium and living alone have been extracted as the predictive factors that makes it difficult to home discharge. Conclusion: Delirium and living alone have been suggested as the factors that makes it difficult to home discharge of patients who wish to home discharge. Early detection and early treatment of delirium are important, and early collaboration between the hospital discharge support department and palliative care team for the living alone patient is also necessary.</p>

A case with malignant pleural effusion treated by pleuroperitoneal shunt which enable shift to palliative home care

Repeated needle thoracocentesis, tube thoracotomy, or pleurodesis are generally performed as a palliative treatment for malignant pleural effusion. However, these methods have an unsatisfactory success rate, require lengthy hospital stays, and induce pain and various inconvenience accompanying frequent treatment or catheterization, indicating unsatisfactory palliative care. Here, we experienced a case of malignant pleural effusion treated by pleuroperitoneal shunt. The patient was suffering from lung cancer in his eighties. Although the patient wished to be treated at home, uncontrollable pleural effusion forced him to remain in the hospital. By inserting Denver pleuroperitoneal shunt (Denver Biomaterials, Inc., Denver, CO, USA), he could return home. This method may be an effective treatment option in palliative care, particularly palliative home care, for patients with malignant pleural effusions. Palliat Care Res 2008; 3(2): 326-330