A profile of hospice-at-home physiotherapy for community-dwelling palliative care patients.
OBJECTIVE
To profile a specialised palliative care physiotherapy service to community-dwelling patients.


METHODS
Retrospective audit.


METHODS
Milford Care Centre, Limerick, Ireland.


METHODS
Patients referred to hospice-at-home physiotherapy during September 2010-February 2011.


METHODS
Edmonton Functional Assessment Tool (EFAT-2).


RESULTS
165 patients were referred, of whom 90% had cancer. Nurses referred 120 (73%). Referrals appeared to be increased by the presence of physiotherapists in the nursing bases. No asssessment was conducted for 55 referrals (33%), mainly owing to clinical deterioration. The remaining 110 patients were assessed, with 47 (43%) being contacted within 2 days of referral (mean 4 days, standard deviation 4.2, range 0-21 days). Physical function ranged from 0-18 (median 7, mode 4) on the EFAT-2 scale. The most commonly used treatments were exercises and advice/education.


CONCLUSIONS
Referrals to the at-home physiotherapy service are heavily dependent on nurses and their understanding of the physiotherapy role. Patients tended to be relatively high functioning and tolerated numerous interventions.
Milford Care Centre, Castletroy, Limerick, Ireland. sineadcobbe@gmail.com
Sinead
S
Cobbe
Kathy
K
Nugent
Shirley
S
Real
Sinead
S
Slattery
Margaret
M
Lynch
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D054869:Clinical Audit; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006738:Hospices; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010166:Palliative Care; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies