Current State of Palliative Care Unit in New Life Hospital

Abstract

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical practice of the palliative care unit in the New Life Hospital during the past two years. Between April 2009 and March 2011, 272 patients visited our department for admission, 208 of them (76.5%) were hospitalized for a total of 230 times,and 64 (23.5%) canceled admission. The average age of hospitalized patients was 76.2 and the median age was 80, which was older than that in other facilities. The purpose of admission was to relieve symptoms for 166 patients, assist in their dying process for 43, provide care for patients who had difficulty residing at home for 44, and provide respite care for 19 family care givers. The most frequent symptom during hospitalization was pain, which was found in 151 (72.6%) patients. Opioids were administered to 150 (72.1%) patients, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to 133 (63.9%) and steroids to 125 (60.1%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 80.9% (186 patients). The average hospital stay was 41.7 days and the median was 23 days. Bed occupancy rate was 81.6% in the fiscal year of 2010. These statistical values were a little above those of other facilities and the national averages as well.