Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Dying in Hospitals - Optimization of Care in the Dying Phase (StiKOV): Results of an Online Survey
Palliative Medicine ; 36(1 SUPPL):80, 2022.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-1916762
ABSTRACT
Background/

aims:

Hospitals are the most frequent place of death in Germany (47%) but also the least preferred one - for both patients and relatives. The project 'StiK-OV' aims to optimize care for dying patients in hospitals using a bottom-up approach. Therefore specific measures on non-palliative wards at two university hospitals will be implemented and evaluated. In the first project phase, the current state of non-specialist inpatient care in the dying phase was assessed.

Methods:

Online survey with national health care professionals in the field of care in the dying phase. The survey consisted of seven open-ended questions on important issues, facilitators, barriers and needs for improvement regarding the care for patients dying in hospitals as well as COVID-19 pandemic specifics. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically.

Results:

Of 67 participants, 66% worked in clinical practice, 34% in managerial positions. We identified five relevant topics of care in the dying phase involvement of relatives;symptom control;patient-centeredness;professional competencies;as well as time, space and human resources. Participants aimed to uphold patient-centeredness as a priority in the dying phase despite reporting needs for improvement in all topics 'Everything that is good for the patient is allowed.' This contrasts with the experience during the pandemic, when involvement of relatives and patient-centerednesswere hard to maintain due to visiting restrictions and high workload - leading to patient isolation and dying in loneliness.

Conclusions:

The survey revealed common topics on care in the dying phase from the perspective of health professionals to be targeted by ward-specific measures. Difficulties due to the pandemic have to be considered for optimal care in the dying phase under exceptional circumstances. The results can help to develop and implement context-specific measures to improve quality of hospital care during the dying phase.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Type of study: Observational study Language: English Journal: Palliative Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Type of study: Observational study Language: English Journal: Palliative Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article