Symptoms and Attitudes of 100 Consecutive Patients Admitted to an Acute Hospice/Palliative Care Unit

Abstract

One hundred patients admitted to an acute hospice/palliative care unit in a U.S. teaching hospital were evaluated using a standardized data acquisition tool that assessed the presence of physical symptoms and attitudes concerning admission to such a specialty unit. Patients entering the unit between June 1995 and October 1995 completed the tool within 24 hours of admission. Symptoms reported were fatigue in 81 patients, anorexia in 70, dyspnea in 61, xerostomia in 58, cough in 52, pain in 49, confusion in 37, depression in 37, constipation in 35, nausea in 30, insomnia in 23, and vomiting in 22. Of the 59 patients and family/friends that responded to the question "How do you feel about hospice care?", 53 gave a positive response. When asked about the best aspects of the unit, the most common response related to the care the patient and family received (23 responses, 39%). We conclude that patients admitted to an acute inpatient hospice/palliative care unit have multiple symptoms and a high degree of satisfaction with the environment.

Does the Medical Record Cover the Symptoms Experienced by Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Care? A Comparison of the Record and Patient Self-Rating

“…psychological problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment) and more diffuse physical problems (e.g., fatigue and impaired well-being), however, were reported far more often by the patients than by the doctors. This is in partial agreement with the results of Ng and von Gunten, 10 who found that physicians reported pain and cognitive impairment more often and weakness, fatigue, anxiety etc. more rarely than their patients.…”

Does the Medical Record Cover the Symptoms Experienced by Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Care? A Comparison of the Record and Patient Self-Rating

“…psychological problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment) and more diffuse physical problems (e.g., fatigue and impaired well-being), however, were reported far more often by the patients than by the doctors. This is in partial agreement with the results of Ng and von Gunten, 10 who found that physicians reported pain and cognitive impairment more often and weakness, fatigue, anxiety etc. more rarely than their patients.…”

Self‐assessment in cancer patients referred to palliative care

“…The prevalence data are in line with other studies of symptom prevalence rates5–7, 9, 25 showing that fatigue, inactivity, pain, loss of appetite, and reduced role function and quality of life are issues of major concern for patients in palliative care. According to the EORTC QLQ‐C30, the participating patients reported that they were affected very much by fatigue, pain, poor physical functioning, appetite reduction, and reduced overall health and quality of life.…”

Efficacy, Safety, and Cost Effectiveness of Intravenous Midazolam and Flunitrazepam for Primary Insomnia in Terminally Ill Patients with Cancer: A Retrospective Multicenter Audit Study

“…Prevalence estimates for sleep disturbance in palliative care units range from 23% to 70%. 32,33 The median prevalence rate of treatments in this study was lower than the assumed prevalence of primary insomnia. The probable interpretation is that intravenous drip hypnotics are not necessary because the oral or rectal route is available until just before Poor 55% (n ϭ 4) 9.1% (n ϭ 2) 11% (n ϭ 1) 0.98 14% (n ϭ 2) 24% (n ϭ 6) 5.0% (n ϭ 1) 0.62 Fair 27% (n ϭ 20) 32% (n ϭ 7) 22% (n ϭ 2) 29% (n ϭ 4) 32% (n ϭ 8) 50% (n ϭ 10) Good 67% (n ϭ 49) 50% (n ϭ 11) 67% (n ϭ 6) 57% (n ϭ 8) 40% (n ϭ 10) 40% (n ϭ 8) Safety…”

“…Prevalence estimates for sleep disturbance in palliative care units range from 23% to 70%. 32,33 The median prevalence rate of treatments in this study was lower than the assumed prevalence of primary insomnia. The probable interpretation is that intravenous drip hypnotics are not necessary because the oral or rectal route is available until just before death in many patients with cancer.…”

Does the Medical Record Cover the Symptoms Experienced by Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Care? A Comparison of the Record and Patient Self-Rating

“…psychological problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment) and more diffuse physical problems (e.g., fatigue and impaired well-being), however, were reported far more often by the patients than by the doctors. This is in partial agreement with the results of Ng and von Gunten, 10 who found that physicians reported pain and cognitive impairment more often and weakness, fatigue, anxiety etc. more rarely than their patients.…”

Self‐assessment in cancer patients referred to palliative care

“…The prevalence data are in line with other studies of symptom prevalence rates5–7, 9, 25 showing that fatigue, inactivity, pain, loss of appetite, and reduced role function and quality of life are issues of major concern for patients in palliative care. According to the EORTC QLQ‐C30, the participating patients reported that they were affected very much by fatigue, pain, poor physical functioning, appetite reduction, and reduced overall health and quality of life.…”

Efficacy, Safety, and Cost Effectiveness of Intravenous Midazolam and Flunitrazepam for Primary Insomnia in Terminally Ill Patients with Cancer: A Retrospective Multicenter Audit Study

“…Prevalence estimates for sleep disturbance in palliative care units range from 23% to 70%. 32,33 The median prevalence rate of treatments in this study was lower than the assumed prevalence of primary insomnia. The probable interpretation is that intravenous drip hypnotics are not necessary because the oral or rectal route is available until just before Poor 55% (n ϭ 4) 9.1% (n ϭ 2) 11% (n ϭ 1) 0.98 14% (n ϭ 2) 24% (n ϭ 6) 5.0% (n ϭ 1) 0.62 Fair 27% (n ϭ 20) 32% (n ϭ 7) 22% (n ϭ 2) 29% (n ϭ 4) 32% (n ϭ 8) 50% (n ϭ 10) Good 67% (n ϭ 49) 50% (n ϭ 11) 67% (n ϭ 6) 57% (n ϭ 8) 40% (n ϭ 10) 40% (n ϭ 8) Safety…”

“…Prevalence estimates for sleep disturbance in palliative care units range from 23% to 70%. 32,33 The median prevalence rate of treatments in this study was lower than the assumed prevalence of primary insomnia. The probable interpretation is that intravenous drip hypnotics are not necessary because the oral or rectal route is available until just before death in many patients with cancer.…”

Does the Medical Record Cover the Symptoms Experienced by Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Care? A Comparison of the Record and Patient Self-Rating

“…psychological problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment) and more diffuse physical problems (e.g., fatigue and impaired well-being), however, were reported far more often by the patients than by the doctors. This is in partial agreement with the results of Ng and von Gunten, 10 who found that physicians reported pain and cognitive impairment more often and weakness, fatigue, anxiety etc. more rarely than their patients.…”

Self‐assessment in cancer patients referred to palliative care

“…The prevalence data are in line with other studies of symptom prevalence rates5–7, 9, 25 showing that fatigue, inactivity, pain, loss of appetite, and reduced role function and quality of life are issues of major concern for patients in palliative care. According to the EORTC QLQ‐C30, the participating patients reported that they were affected very much by fatigue, pain, poor physical functioning, appetite reduction, and reduced overall health and quality of life.…”

Efficacy, Safety, and Cost Effectiveness of Intravenous Midazolam and Flunitrazepam for Primary Insomnia in Terminally Ill Patients with Cancer: A Retrospective Multicenter Audit Study

“…Prevalence estimates for sleep disturbance in palliative care units range from 23% to 70%. 32,33 The median prevalence rate of treatments in this study was lower than the assumed prevalence of primary insomnia. The probable interpretation is that intravenous drip hypnotics are not necessary because the oral or rectal route is available until just before Poor 55% (n ϭ 4) 9.1% (n ϭ 2) 11% (n ϭ 1) 0.98 14% (n ϭ 2) 24% (n ϭ 6) 5.0% (n ϭ 1) 0.62 Fair 27% (n ϭ 20) 32% (n ϭ 7) 22% (n ϭ 2) 29% (n ϭ 4) 32% (n ϭ 8) 50% (n ϭ 10) Good 67% (n ϭ 49) 50% (n ϭ 11) 67% (n ϭ 6) 57% (n ϭ 8) 40% (n ϭ 10) 40% (n ϭ 8) Safety…”

“…Prevalence estimates for sleep disturbance in palliative care units range from 23% to 70%. 32,33 The median prevalence rate of treatments in this study was lower than the assumed prevalence of primary insomnia. The probable interpretation is that intravenous drip hypnotics are not necessary because the oral or rectal route is available until just before death in many patients with cancer.…”