Optimizing hospital-based home care for dying cancer patients: a population-based study.
In many reports the percentage of home deaths in cancer is based on selected populations. In this population-based study all cancer patients who died within 12 months within a specified area were studied (n = 108). This area is covered by hospital-based home care (HBHC) on a 24-h basis, which doctors available by day and at night. Forty people (37%) out of the total cancer population died in their own homes. Another 11% would theoretically have been ideal candidates for home care at the end of life. Thus, a home death rate of about 50% of the cancer patients is a realistic figure, and much higher than the usual 5-15% reported, provided that an effective HBHC is offered.
Rosenquist
A
A
Palliative Research Unit, Linköping University, Vrinnevi Hospital, Norrköping, Sweden.
Bergman
K
K
Strang
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P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D018575:Home Care Services, Hospital-Based / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013548:Sweden; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*