Problems related to responding to sudden changes in residents who do not wish to be resuscitated in elderly facilities from the perspective of end-of-life care

Abstract

Summary Introduction : In Japan, which has become aging society, there have been discussions in various forums have discussed how to deal with cases in which a patient has expressed ″do not attempt resuscitation″ order when a sudden change is anticipated, based on the premise of advance care planning. Against this background, an “Additional End-of-Life Care” has been formulated with the aim of assisting residents to meet their final days peacefully, but the actual situation is not yet clear.

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to examine the current status and problems of the additional end-of-life care program.

Methods : A questionnaire survey was conducted at 241 elderly care facilities in Sagamihara City located at the northern part of Kanagawa Prefecture, to determine whether end-of-life care differs depending on whether end-of-life care fees are calculated or not.

Conclusion : Although a high percentage of facilities in the “Calculated facilities” confirmed the residents intention in advance, many facilities transported the residents to emergency hospitals as in the “non-Calculated facilities “ in the event of a sudden change in condition, thus failing to fulfill the original purpose of the Additional end-of-life care.