[Terminal care of the cancer patient at home--patient and family spending the last moments together].
Some 129 cancer patients were taken care of at home by the visiting nurse team of our hospital since 1994 to 1997; 116 patients have already died, 50 of them at home (group A), and 66 at the hospital (group B). We analyze the differences the between two groups in nutritional assistance, pain control and manpower in looking after a patient. Twice as many patients in group A took nutritional medication (drip infusion or intravenous hyperalimentation, for example) than group B. More patients in group A used oral and suppository morphine than group B. In group A 70% of patients (56% in group B) had more than two persons looking after at home. The important factors for a good recuperation at home are: 1. Available nutritional assist available. 2. Good control. 3. Less burden and anxiety of the person looked after. To spend pain desirable last moments together, it is important for the visiting nurse team to take proper care and to confirm the wishes of the patient and family, considering the rapidly changing conditions of the individual patient.
Sekiya
Y
Y
Niigata Cancer Center Hospital.
Naito
A
A
Maeda
M
M
D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D018575:Home Care Services, Hospital-Based; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D019452:Terminally Ill