The effects of an administration policy of the palliative care unit of a cancer care hospital on the rate of region-based home death rate

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to explore the changes in the rates of discharge to home from the palliative care unit in the region where the regional palliative care intervention program, their home death rate, and their ratio to whole home death cancer patients in the region. During the study period, the palliative care unit changed an administrative policy actively end-of-life care to support patients at home. The rate of discharge to home from the palliative care unit increased 11% to 22% during the study period, and their home death rate increased 10% to 41%. The overall home death rate of cancer patients however remained 6.8% to 8.1%, and their ratio to whole home death cancer patients in the region was less than 10%. To establish health care system to support cancer patients at home, changing administrative policy of palliative care units is insufficient and increasing quality community palliative care resources seems to be essential.