The characteristics of advanced cancer patients followed at home,but admitted to the hospital for the last days of life

Information regarding advanced cancer patients followed at home who are admitted to the hospital in the last days of life are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of patients who were hospitalized in the last days of life after being assisted by a home palliative care team. The secondary outcome was to identify possible risk factors for hospitalization. The charts were analyzed of a consecutive sample of advanced cancer patients admitted to hospital wards in the last days of life after being followed at home by a palliative care team. Of 550 consecutive patients followed at home, 138 (25.1 %) were admitted to the hospital. Younger patients were more likely to die in the hospital. In a logistic risk analysis adjusted for age, patients with lung and head–neck cancer were more likely to die in the hospital. Patients having a female relative or a female consort as a caregiver were more likely to die at home. CAGE-positive patients (7.25 %), and patients with a shorter period of home assistance were more likely transported to hospital before dying (p = 0.00 and p < 0.024, respectively). The most frequent reason for hospital admission was dyspnea. Admission was more frequent to the oncology ward. Patients who were admitted to the hospital died after a mean of 10.2 days (SD 8.2, range 0–40). This study provides preliminary data on the risk factors of hospitalization at the end of life for advanced cancer patients followed at home.     

The last 48 hours of life in long-term care: a focused chart audit

OBJECTIVES: As a component of palliative care educational program development, the faculty at the University of Ottawa Institute of Palliative Care wished to assess end-of-life care for patients in long-term care (LTC) settings to develop an educational strategy for physicians. DESIGN: A chart audit, focusing on the last 48 hours of life of residents dying in LTC facilities. SETTING: Five LTC facilities in a city in Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Residents who died in the LTC facilities in a 12-month period. Those who died suddenly (i.e., with no palliation period) or in a hospital were excluded. MEASUREMENTS: Symptoms highlighted in the literature as commonly found in the terminally ill and the matching treatments were recorded on an audit form created by the authors. Included were pain, dyspnea, noisy breathing, delirium, dysphagia, fever, and myoclonus. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-five charts were reviewed. A large number of patients were cognitively impaired. Cancer was the final diagnosis in 14% of cases. Respiratory symptoms were the most prevalent symptom, with dyspnea being first and noisy breathing third. Pain was second, with a prevalence similar to that found in studies of cancer patients. Dyspnea was not treated in 23% of the patients with this symptom; opioids were used in only 27% of cases with dyspnea. Ninety-nine percent of patients who experienced pain were treated for it. Less than one-third of patients with noisy breathing were treated. Delirium was not treated in 38% of the cases, and no anti-dopaminergic medications were administered. Nurses were primarily responsible for documenting end-of-life issues, supporting the families of the dying residents, and communicating with other team members. CONCLUSION: The focused chart audit identified the high prevalence of cognitive impairment in the patient population, which complicates symptom management. Respiratory symptoms predominated in the last 48 hours of life. This symptom profile differs from that of cancer patients, who, according to the literature, have more pain and less respiratory trouble. Management of symptoms was variable. Nurses played a crucial role in the care of dying residents through their documentation and communication of end-of-life issues. Appropriate palliative care education can provide knowledge and skills to all health-care professionals, including physicians, and assist them in the control of symptoms and improvement of quality of life for patients dying in LTC facilities.     

Factors associated with death places among elderly patients receiving home-based care

The quality of end-of-life (EOL) care for patients receiving home-based care is a critical issue for health care providers. Dying in a preferred place is recognized as a key EOL care quality indicator. We explore the factors associated with death at home or nursing facilities among elderly patients receiving home-based care.This retrospective study was based on a medical chart review between January 2018 and December 2019 of elderly patients. Multivariate analysis was conducted by fitting multiple logistic regression models with the stepwise variable selection procedure to explore the associated factors.The 205 elderly patients receiving home-based care were enrolled for analysis. The mean participant age was 84.2 ± 7.8 years. Multiple logistic regression indicated that significant factors for elderly home-based patients who died at home or nursing facilities were receiving palliative service (odds ratio [OR], 3.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37–7.51; P = .007), symptoms of nausea or vomiting (OR, 5.38; 95% CI, 1.12–25.84; P = .036), fewer emergency department visits (OR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.03–0.16; P < .001), and less intravenous third-generation cephalosporin use (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.03–0.75; P = .021) in the last month of life. Patients with dementia had a lower probability of dying at home or nursing facilities than patients with other diagnosis (OR, 0.34, 95% CI, 0.13–0.90; P = .030).Among elderly home-based patients, receiving palliative service, with nausea or vomiting, and fewer emergency department visits in the last month of life favored home or nursing facilities deaths. Practitioners should be aware of the factors with higher probabilities of dying at home and in nursing facilities. We suggested that palliative services need to be further developed and extended to ensure that patients with dementia can receive adequate EOL care at home and in nursing facilities.     

Pulmonary complications in adult sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease is an autosomal genetic condition which represents the most frequent genetic disease in ?le-de-France and Caribbean islands. The main clinical manifestations can be divided into infectious disease, hemolytic anemia and vaso-occlusive events. Pulmonary complications represent 20 to 30% of mortality due to sickle cell and can be divided into acute and chronic events. Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is an acute lung injury often preceded by a vaso-occlusive crisis and triggered by different factors including: hypoventilation, pulmonary infectious disease and vascular occlusions. These occlusions can be secondary to fat embolism, thrombosis or sickling. Treatment is mainly supportive combining oxygen supplementation adequate hydration analgesia and sedation. Exchange transfusion may be indicated in severe forms of ACS, characterized by a right ventricular dysfunction and acute respiratory failure. Pulmonary hypertension is the most serious chronic complication. Its frequency is estimated at 6% in adult patients and is more often described in patients with venous ulcers and higher levels of chronic hemolysis. Prognosis is poor with 12.5% of patients dying in the first two years following diagnosis irrespective of the actual pulmonary artery pressure level. There are currently limited data on the effects of any treatment modality. Other respiratory complications such as sleep disorders and nocturnal hypoxemia, infiltrative lung disease and exertional dyspnea are described and should be considered.     

Caring for patients at the end of life: reflections after 12 years of practice

Physicians have the privilege and authority to assist patients and their families at the end of life. Regardless of diagnosis, commonalities occur in the dying process, and palliative care benefits patients and families. This perspective chronicles my experience over 12 years caring for 95 patients at the end of life, illustrated in part with six vignettes. I describe interactions with families, discuss logistic issues around dying, examine the do-not-resuscitate issue, and highlight experiences with home visits. I also touch on how I communicate with the family after a death. I hope to express the significance of what I have learned while assisting patients and families at this critical juncture.     

Thai pediatricians' current practice toward childhood asthma

Background: Childhood asthma is a substantial health burden in Thailand. Due to a lack of pediatric respiratory specialists (pediatric pulmonologists and allergists; RS), most Thai children are cared for by general pediatricians (pediatric primary care providers (PCP)). Objectives: We investigated whether current practices of Thai pediatricians complied with asthma guidelines and compared practices (diagnosis and treatments) provided by PCP and RS. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using electronic surveys including four case scenarios of different asthma phenotypes distributed to Thai pediatricians. Asthma diagnosis and management were evaluated for compliance with standard guidelines. The practices of PCP and RS were compared. Results: From 800 surveys distributed, there were 405 respondents (51%). Most respondents (81%) were PCP, who preferred to use clinical diagnosis rather than laboratory investigations to diagnose asthma. For acute asthmatic attacks, 58% of the pediatricians prescribed a systemic corticosteroid. For uncontrolled asthma, 89% of the pediatricians prescribed at least one controller. For exercise-induced bronchospasm, 55% of the pediatricians chose an inhaled bronchodilator, while 38% chose a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA). For virus-induced wheeze, 40% of the respondents chose an LTRA, while 15% chose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). PCP prescribed more oral bronchodilators (31% vs. 18%, p = 0.02), antibiotics (20% vs. 6%, p < 0.001), and antihistamines (13% vs. 0%, p = 0.02) than RS for the management of an acute asthmatic attack. Conclusions: Most of the Thai pediatricians' practices toward diagnosis and treatment of acute asthmatic attack and uncontrolled asthma conform to the guidelines. PCP prescribed more oral bronchodilators, antibiotics, and antihistamines than RS.     

Efficacy of blonanserin transdermal patch on terminal delirium in patients with respiratory diseases

BackgroundDelirium is a common distressing symptom observed in patients with terminal respiratory diseases and is treated with antipsychotic medications such as haloperidol. Its management is difficult, especially in palliative home care, because its administration is limited to oral or injection methods. Recently, the blonanserin transdermal patch was developed as the first antipsychotic percutaneous agent. After it became available, we recognized its potential for the management of delirium and the alleviation of uncontrolled dyspnea in clinical practice. Thus, this study aimed to assess its efficacy in patients with terminal respiratory diseases.MethodsThis retrospective study included 113 patients with respiratory diseases who were cared for at home. The efficacy was evaluated through the prevalence of terminal delirium before and after its treatment initiation for uncontrolled dyspnea.ResultsBlonanserin transdermal patch treatment for uncontrolled dyspnea improved the prevalence and severity of terminal delirium (from 70.4% to 16.3%, p < 0.001) and reduced the number of doctors' visits to patients’ homes within a week before their death (from 4.0 to 3.0, p = 0.086). A sub-group analysis of 23 patients with interstitial pneumonia revealed that the treatment prevented dyspnea progression by inhibiting terminal delirium.ConclusionsBlonanserin transdermal patch performed similarly to haloperidol, as previously reported, for managing terminal delirium. Our study suggests that a blonanserin transdermal patch potentially prevents terminal delirium and alleviates uncontrolled dyspnea in patients with respiratory diseases. Our findings encourage clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of blonanserin transdermal patches for patients with terminal illnesses.     

Perspectives of cancer treatment providers regarding voluntary assisted dying in Victoria

A survey of cancer treatment providers at our institution exploring their perspectives regarding voluntary assisted dying in Victoria and the imminent legislation showed that while almost all were aware of the Bill (92%), reported knowledge and understanding of it was much less (38%). As many clinicians supported the Bill as opposed it (28%); 44% were uncertain of their stance. Most were unwilling to directly provide voluntary assisted dying; if they did, would refer to palliative care services for ongoing support.     

Symptom experience of dying long-term care residents

OBJECTIVES: To describe the end-of-life symptoms of nursing home (NH) and residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) residents, compare staff and family symptom ratings, and compare how staff assess pain and dyspnea for cognitively impaired and cognitively intact residents.
DESIGN: After-death interviews.
SETTING: Stratified random sample of 230 long-term care facilities in four states.
PARTICIPANTS: Staff (n=674) and family (n=446) caregivers for dying residents.
MEASUREMENTS: Interview items measured frequency and severity of physical symptoms, effectiveness of treatment, recommendations to improve care, and staff report of assessment.
RESULTS: Decedents' median age was 85, 89% were white, and 77% were cognitively impaired. In their last month of life, 47% had pain, 48% dyspnea, 90% problems with cleanliness, and 72% symptoms affecting intake. Problems with cleanliness, intake, and overall symptom burden were worse for decedents in NHs than for those in RC/AL. Treatment for pain and dyspnea was rated very effective for only half of decedents. For a subset of residents with both staff and family interviews (n=331), overall ratings of care were similar, although agreement in paired analyses was modest (kappa=−0.043–0.425). Staff relied on nonverbal expressions to assess dyspnea but not pain. Both groups of caregivers recommended improved application of treatment and increased staffing to improve care.
CONCLUSION: In NHs and RC/AL, dying residents have high rates of physical symptoms and need for more-effective palliation of symptoms near the end of life.     

Withholding antibiotic treatment in pneumonia patients with dementia: a quantitative observational study

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is a life-threatening disease in nursing home patients with dementia. Physicians and families face choices about whether to withhold antibiotics when patients are expected to die soon or when treatment may be burdensome. However, little information exists on what factors influence this complex decision-making process. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with decisions on whether to withhold curative antibiotic treatment in patients with dementia who have pneumonia. METHODS: We performed an observational cohort study with 3-month monitoring for cure and death. Patients with pneumonia (N = 706) were enrolled in nursing home units for patients with dementia from all over the Netherlands (61 nursing homes). Characteristics of patients, physicians, and facilities were related to the outcome of withholding antibiotic treatment. RESULTS: In 23% of the patients, antibiotic treatment was withheld. The other patients received antibiotics with palliative (8%) or curative (69%) intent. Compared with the patients who received antibiotics with curative intent, patients in whom antibiotic treatment was withheld had more severe dementia, had more severe pneumonia, had lower food and fluid intake, and were more often dehydrated. In addition, withholding antibiotics occurred more often in the summer and in patients with an initial episode of pneumonia. Characteristics of facilities and physicians were unrelated to the decision. However, considerable variation occurred in how patient age, aspiration, and history of pneumonia were related to decision making by individual physicians. CONCLUSIONS: In the Netherlands, antibiotic treatment is commonly withheld in pneumonia patients with severe dementia who are especially frail. Understanding the circumstances in which this occurs can illuminate the international discussion of appropriate dementia care.     

Diagnosis and Nd-YAG laser treatment of unsuspected malignant tracheal obstruction

Thirteen adult patients underwent palliative Nd-YAG laser treatment for relief of severe dyspnea due to malignant endotracheal obstruction. Three of the 13 patients had underlying chronic airflow obstruction (CAO) due to diffuse obstructive pulmonary disease. Despite dyspnea, cough, wheezing, stridor and/or hemoptysis, the diagnosis was delayed because of a normal chest roentgenogram in eight patients and nondiagnostic pulmonary function studies (including maximal expiratory and inspiratory flow-volume loops) in all three patients with CAO and in four of ten patients without CAO. The location of the tumor was extrathoracic in two patients, including one with CAO; intrathoracic in seven patients, including two with CAO; and combined extra- and intrathoracic in four. Tracheal diameter increased from 3.5 +/- 1.0 mm before, and to 9.8 +/- 2.0 mm after single or multiple laser treatments. Increased patency of the trachea after laser surgery was associated with improvement in expiratory and/or inspiratory flow rates and with symptomatic relief in all patients which persisted for 14.1 +/- 8.7 months (range four to 48 months). These results indicate that severe symptomatic narrowing of the extra- and/or intrathoracic trachea to a diameter of 2 to 5 mm may not be detected by conventional chest radiography or even by sensitive physiologic tests, especially in patients with underlying CAO. The resultant delay in diagnosis defers possible relief of disabling symptoms with palliative therapy, including Nd-YAG laser photocoagulation.     

Management of acute painful crises in sickle cell disease

Pain is a common mode of manifestation of sickle cell disease (SCD) but there is limited information on pain management in this disorder. This study examines the use of opioids and non-opioid analgesia in the management of painful crisis in adult SCD patients; the routine use of antimalarials and antibiotics as adjunct therapy was also examined. A total of 87% of the patients had had a form of analgesics before presentation, 20% of which had parenteral analgesia. Ten per cent had not used any form of medication while another 10% used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. When asked, 59% of the patients desired oral non-opioid analgesics while 31% were not concerned about the type of analgesic given. Only 8% requested opioids. Hospital admission was not necessary in 65% of the patients; they were observed in the day-care unit and allowed home within 24 h. Sixty per cent did not have a test for malaria; 66% of those who had the test performed were negative, 35% of those whose thick film for malaria was negative had antimalarials prescribed. Only five patients (7%) were febrile at presentation. Thirty-four per cent had antibiotics prescribed, a third of these parenterally. Thirty-nine per cent had no fever but received antibiotics.     

Nursing home practice. Strategies to manage most acute and chronic illnesses without hospitalization

Physicians who practice in the nursing home often must decide whether to hospitalize a patient with an acute illness or provide on-site treatment. Most medical problems--including urinary tract infection, pneumonia, venous thromboembolism, and exacerbations of congestive heart failure--can be successfully managed in the nursing home. An aggressive primary care approach can improve the quality of care for vulnerable older patients, reduce the need for hospitalizations, and make nursing home practice more efficient and satisfying. Most dying patients can also receive the bulk of their medical and palliative care in the nursing home.     

Palliative medicine and advanced incurable illness

Advanced incurable and life-threatening diseases of internal organs such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, and terminal kidney failure are associated with considerable burden for the patients caused by pronounced symptoms (e.g., dyspnea, anxiety, depression) and unmet psychosocial needs. Nevertheless, in Germany addressing palliative medicine in the context of these disorders and co-treatment of these patients by cross-sector partnership with specialized palliative care physicians are not very developed. Against the background of an international perspective and current guidelines, general aspects of palliative care needs (symptom control, communication, advance care planning, etc.) are discussed together with the resultant implications for potential cooperation between internal medicine and palliative care as well as special aspects of the individual diseases (e.g., prognosis or implications of certain treatment options such as "automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator", AICD). Timely involvement of the specific expertise of palliative care medicine can ensure that the workload of the primary providers (and their teams) is reduced and better cross-sector management (hospital and home) of the severely ill patients and their families is achieved.     

Families' perception of the added value of hospice in the nursing home

OBJECTIVE: To determine if family members perceive that hospice improves the care of dying nursing home residents during the last 3 months of life. DESIGN: Mailed survey. PARTICIPANTS: Family members for all nursing home hospice enrollees in North Carolina during a 6-month period. MEASUREMENTS: After residents' deaths, family members answered questions about the quality of care for symptoms before and after hospice, the added value of hospice, the effect of hospice on hospitalization, and special services provided by nursing home staff or by hospice staff. RESULTS: A total of 292 (73%) of 398 eligible family members completed surveys. The average age of the nursing home residents who had received hospice was 79.5 years; 50% had cancer and 76% were dependent for self-care. In their last 3 months, 70% of decedents had severe or moderate pain, 56% had severe or moderate dyspnea, and 61% had other symptoms. Quality of care for physical symptoms was rated good or excellent by 64% of family before hospice and 93% after hospice (P<.001). Dying residents' emotional needs included care for moderate or severe depression (47%), anxiety (50%), and loneliness (35%). Quality of care for emotional needs was rated good or excellent by 64% of family before hospice and 90% after hospice (P<.001). Fifty-three percent of respondents believed hospice prevented hospitalizations. Family estimated the median added value of hospice to be $75 per day and described distinct special services provided by hospice and by nursing home staff. CONCLUSIONS: Family members believe that nursing home hospice improves quality of care for symptoms, reduces hospitalizations, and adds value and services for dying nursing home residents.     

Rare and persistent Rhodococcus equi infection in a diffuse large B cell lymphoma patient: case report and review of the literature

Rhodococcus equi (R. equi) is an uncommon gram positive organism. It is a rare but recognized pathogen in humans and has emerged as an important cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. Generally, R. equi infection needs combined treatment with effective antibiotics, and often requires the immune adjuvant therapy. Here we reported a 49-year-old man presented dyspnea with fever, skin ulcer for 5 months, and the final diagnosis was diffuse large B cell lymphoma with R. equi septicemia and pneumonia, the treatment was failure, the blood culture was always positive during the course of disease, though he was given combined treatment with effective antibiotics, perhaps the immune reconstitution or immune supportive treatment was more important.     

Palliativmedizin und fortgeschrittene, nicht heilbare Erkrankungen

Advanced incurable and life-threatening diseases of internal organs such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, and terminal kidney failure are associated with considerable burden for the patients caused by pronounced symptoms (e.g., dyspnea, anxiety, depression) and unmet psychosocial needs. Nevertheless, in Germany addressing palliative medicine in the context of these disorders and co-treatment of these patients by cross-sector partnership with specialized palliative care physicians are not very developed. Against the background of an international perspective and current guidelines, general aspects of palliative care needs (symptom control, communication, advance care planning, etc.) are discussed together with the resultant implications for potential cooperation between internal medicine and palliative care as well as special aspects of the individual diseases (e.g., prognosis or implications of certain treatment options such as ??automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator??, AICD). Timely involvement of the specific expertise of palliative care medicine can ensure that the workload of the primary providers (and their teams) is reduced and better cross-sector management (hospital and home) of the severely ill patients and their families is achieved.     

Quality of end-of-life care with non-malignant liver disease: Analysis of the VOICES National Survey of Bereaved People

Background and Aims

Patients with liver disease struggle to access palliative care. We aimed to compare carers' perceptions of end-of-life care for decedents with non-malignant liver disease, malignant liver disease and other non-malignant diseases, and to identify associated factors in non-malignant liver disease.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of individual-level data from the National Survey of Bereaved People 2011–2015.

Results

More decedents with non-malignant liver disease died in hospital than other diseases (76.9% vs. 40.9% vs. 50.2%, p < .001), despite 89% wishing to die at home. Fewer decedents received home/hospice specialist palliative care compared with those with malignant liver disease (10.0% vs. 54.6%, p < .001). Carers of decedents with non-malignant liver disease were less likely to rate overall end-of-life care quality as outstanding/excellent (29.3% vs. 43.9% vs. 42.3%, p < .001). For this group, poorer care was associated with younger (65–74 vs. 18–64 years, OR [odds ratio] 1.39, p = .01), more socially deprived decedents (OR .78, p = .02), and better care with greater social support (OR 1.82, p < .001) and community specialist palliative care involvement (OR 1.80, p < .001). There was no association between outstanding/excellent rating and underlying cause of non-malignant liver disease (alcohol-related vs. non-alcohol-related, p = .92) or place of death (hospital vs. non-hospital, p = .476).

Conclusions

End-of-life care could be improved by integrating hepatology and community services, particularly specialist palliative care, and advance care planning to facilitate care and death (where desired) at home. However, death in hospital may be appropriate for those with non-malignant liver disease.     

Approach for the interventional bronchoscopic treatment methods applied in tracheobronchial obstruction

Bronchoscopy used commonly in the diagnosis and staging of the lung cancer was applied successfully in the palliative treatment of the patients with lung cancer. The patients with tracheobronchial obstruction may develop many symptoms like dyspnea, cough and haemoptysis, and atelectasis and pneumonia but these symptoms were recovered with applying interventional bronchoscopic methods. These methods are laser therapy, electrocautery, argon plasma coagulation, cryotherapy, brachytherapy, photodynamic therapy and airway stents. The obstructed airway was reopened by these bronchoscopic methods and dyspnea, atelectasis and post-obstructive pneumonia were relieved. In addition, with establishment of the airway patency, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy may be applied to the patients with lung cancer. The treatment of tracheobronchial obstruction was achieved a thorough evaluation of the etiology, physiology, diagnostic and treatment options of the disease and a multidisciplinary team approach including anesthesiology, medical oncology, thoracic surgery, radiology and interventional pulmonology. In this multidisciplinary team approach, all of the doctors dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer should know interventional bronchoscopic methods, endobronchial treatment, and indications of these procedures. The aim of this review is to fresh our knowledge about the interventional bronchoscopic treatment methods in patients with lung cancer.