Seek to “acute palliative care unit with a hospice function”─Activity report of three years palliative care unit opened

ABSTRACT

<b>【Background】</b>From the time of establishment, management system of palliative care unit of cancer cooperation hospital in this community was created by consultation with regional home care agency. At the time of the current three－year establishment, its role is regarded as “acute palliative care unit with a hospice function”. In addition to the hospice function to perform hospice care for terminal cancer patients, with the aim of palliative care from early stage, it is an emphasis on functionality of acute palliative care unit (1.Symptom relief, 2.Decision support to patients and their families, 3.Adjustment and movement of the location of the medical treatment, 4.Adjustment of the support system at home care is difficult.) as a “second home” in the region for the “community hospice”. <b>【Result】</b>As a result, over three years, hospitalized patient number, home transition number of patients, home transition rate, number of patients dying at home and home mortality were increased, but the average length of stay, readmission rates were reduced. <b>【Conclusion】</b>In OPTIM－study, it is said that the ability to medical and welfare professionals involved in palliative care in the region is "meet" the opportunity, to be able to maximize the ability of the community, our palliative care unit establishment has become the opportunities in this community, cooperation with home care agencies deepened.