PALLIATIVE CARE - INTEGRATION MODEL INTO ONCOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE PATIENTS OF REGIONAL INSTITUTE OF ONCOLOGY IASI

Abstract

Aim: This paper aims to present a retrospective analysis of activity from Palliative Care Compartment of Regional Institute of Oncology Iasi during 12 months of activity and to propose a model of integration of the palliative care in oncology. Materials and methods: Data were collected from 415 patients hospitalized to the Palliative Care Compartment using the computerized database, records and books of existing appointments. Results: Data analysis reveals that 170 cases (40%) were aged higher or equal to 70 years and a number of 142 patients (34%) were aged between 60-69 years. Results regarding the provenience of the patients shows that most of them are from urban areas. Gastrointestinal neoplasms were present at about one-third of the patients – 133 cases (32%) and 95 (71%) of these cases had metastases. Most patients - 114 cases (27%) required hospitalization for a period between 8 and 14 days. Palliative care has interdisciplinary relations with other specialties. In 2013 from other specialties were transferred to palliative care a number of 156 patients, most of them (87 cases) from Oncology Department. Conclusions: Integrating palliative care in oncology would increase the quality of life of patients, would relieve the other sections or hospitals by patients who need palliative care, would decrease hospitalization costs and would avoid performing aggressive maneuvers at the end of life.