[Home care in a palliative care unit]

Abstract

Background: It is currently believed that the home is not the most adequate place to die. Ninety percent of the deaths happen in hospitals. The home care of terminally ill cases by a palliative care team is analyzed.

Methods: In 93 (53 males and 40 females, mean age 63 years, range 31-89 years) oncologic patients followed at home until death the number of visits and their length, the most important symptoms, the length of the terminal phase and the place of death were analyzed.

Results: Two hundred fifteen visits were carried out. The length per visit per patient was of 40 minutes. The terminal phase oscillated between 1 and 425 days with a median of 50 days. Pain and dyspnea were the most important symptoms. Death occurred at home in fifty-three (59%) patients and in the hospital in 37 (41%). The median survival from diagnosis was 10 months.

Conclusions: Home care increase the percentage of deaths in the home if adequate alleviation of symptoms, permanent communication and constant family support are provided.