[Development of a cooperative system for palliative care among a hospice ward, general ward, geriatric health services facility, and home in Japan Baptist Hospital-provision of home-based care by hospice physicians].

ABSTRACT

In November 2009, a home hospice palliative care clinic(clinic)was opened in addition to a hospice ward, general ward, and geriatric health services facility at our hospital. This marked the initiation of a health care system able to provide the palliative care desired by patients and families. We studied the characteristics and hospitalization status of 514 patients with cancer who died at the hospice ward, general ward, or their homes from November 2009 through December 2011. Overall, 373 patients died at the hospice ward, 11 at the general ward, and 130 at home. Hospice physicians participated in the home care of 20 patients. Hospice physicians provide home-based care in cooperation with clinic physicians, facilitating the palliative care of patients who initially do not have a place to receive terminal care and the prompt discharge of patients who want to live at home.