Changes in medical and nursing care after admission to palliative care units: a potential method for improving regional palliative care

Abstract

Changes in medical and nursing care were frequent, and the frequency of local healthcare providers' assessment of the changes may be insufficient. Providing general ward staff with data about changes in interventions occurring just after PCU admission might be effective for improving palliative care for terminal patients.

The need and availability of dental services for terminally ill cancer patients: a nationwide survey in Japan

“…For example, xerostomia is a common symptom among terminally ill cancer patients [8][9][10]. In most medical facilities and hospitals, oral complications are mainly treated with oral care provided by nurses as a part of routine nursing care [11]. However, as the oral cavity has a complex form, some cases can require specialized dental services [12][13][14][15][16].…”

Perceived oral care needs of terminally ill adults – a qualitative investigation

“…Although a vast majority of the palliative care patients may have compromised oral health, they seldom receive oral care services (16,(46)(47)(48). This could be because of the seriousness of their medical conditions, their illness taking the priority, medical care providers primarily focusing on their general health with little or no emphasis on their oral health, a lack of dental insurance, high dental treatment costs, not understanding the importance of oral health, a lack of access to the dental care services, unwillingness on behalf of dental service providers to provide care to these individuals, and a lack of specialized dental training to treat these individuals (49)(50)(51)(52). Often, the importance of dental care is overlooked and dentists are not included in the palliative care teams.…”