La enfermera en los cuidados paliativos en unidades de cuidados intensivos una Teoría del Final de Vida Pacífico / The Nurse in Palliative Care in Intensive Care Units, a Peaceful End of Life Theory

Introducción: La elevada tasa de mortalidad en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos por enfermedades sin posibilidades terapéuticas introdujo los cuidados paliativos en este escenario. En este contexto, la labor de la enfermera se hace primordial para posibilitar a los pacientes y familiares una atención biopsicosocial y espiritual, con la promoción de una asistencia integral que debe basarse en teorías como la Teoría del Final de la Vida Pacífico. Objetivo: Conocer la actuación de la enfermera en los cuidados paliativos en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos a la luz del Teoría del Final de la Vida Pacífico. Métodos: Estudio con enfoque cualitativo realizado con 14 enfermeras de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Inmunológica de un hospital privado de la ciudad de Salvador, Bahía, Brasil. El período de recogida de datos se realizó entre noviembre de 2018 y mayo de 2019, mediante entrevista con guion semiestructurado; se analizaron a través de la técnica de Análisis de Contenido de Bardin y se discutieron a la luz de la Teoría del Final de Vida Pacífico. Resultados: Surgieron cuatro categorías: Comprensión de las enfermeras sobre los cuidados paliativos en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. Percepción y actuación de las enfermeras en la comodidad del paciente en Cuidados Paliativos. La enfermera permite la proximidad a la familia. La enfermera permite que el paciente esté en paz. Conclusión: La actuación de la enfermera en cuidados paliativos se dirige a los cuidados terminales e implica en promover el confort, acciones de aproximación familiar y actitudes que dignifiquen el proceso de morir(AU)

Introduction: The high mortality rate in intensive care units due to diseases without therapeutic possibilities introduced palliative care in this setting. In this context, the nurse's work becomes paramount to enable patients and families a biopsychosocial and spiritual care, with the promotion of a comprehensive care that should be based on theories such as the peaceful end of life theory. Objective: To know the nurse's performance in palliative care in the intensive care unit under the peaceful end of life theory. Methods: A study with a qualitative approach was carried out with fourteen nurses from the immunological intensive care unit of a private hospital Salvador City, Bahia, Brazil. Data collection covered the period between November 2018 and May 2019, using the semistructured interview. They were analyzed through Bardin's content analysis technique and discussed under the peaceful end of life theory. Results: Four categories emerged: nurses' understanding of palliative care in the intensive care unit, nurses' perception and performance concerning patient comfort in palliative care, the nurse allows proximity to the family, and the nurse allows the patient to be at peace. Conclusion: The nurse's performance in palliative care is directed to terminal care and involves promoting comfort, family approach actions and attitudes that dignify the dying process(AU)

Professionals´ readiness for change to knowledge-based palliative care at nursing homes: a qualitative follow-up study after an educational intervention.

BACKGROUND: There has been a global increase in the number of people who are dying of old age. This development implies a need for good palliative care among older persons at the end of life. Here nursing homes have an important role to play. However, the principles of palliative care have not been sufficiently applied in nursing homes, and there is a need to increase the implementation of palliative care in these settings. Therefore the project named Implementation of Knowledge-Based Palliative Care in Nursing Homes (the KUPA project, to use its Swedish acronym) was started as a contribution to filling this knowledge gap. The aim of the present study was to investigate the professionals' experiences of readiness for change to knowledge-based palliative care at nursing homes after the educational intervention within the KUPA project. METHODS: The focus group method was used to interview 39 health-care professionals with the aid of semistructured questions based on the Organizational Readiness for Change theoretical framework. Six focus groups were formed at six nursing homes in two counties in southern Sweden. The groups included different types of professionals: assistant nurses, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social workers. The analysis was conducted with an abductive approach and included deductive and inductive content analysis. RESULTS: The analysis revealed one overarching theme: hopeful readiness for change in palliative care despite remaining barriers. The main categories were increased knowledge facilitating development, enhanced team spirit, uncertainty about future plans connected with hopeful readiness and remaining organizational barriers. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds knowledge and understanding concerning professionals' readiness for change palliative care in nursing homes and shows how ready nursing home settings undertake these changes in practice. The Organizational Readiness for Change theory proved suitable for application in nursing homes to assess the professionals' experiences and to evaluate educational interventions regardless of the organization's readiness for change. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials NCT02708498 , first registration 15/03/2016.

Global palliative nursing partnerships in the face of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Mutually respectful and long-term global partnerships are critical to increasing hospice and palliative care access as a key component of universal health coverage. The importance of sustained, transnational palliative care collaboration has become more urgent since the COVID-19 pandemic. AIM: To provide an overview of characteristics for successful global palliative nursing partnerships. METHOD: The authors highlight the need to adapt approaches to meet the challenges and demands of COVID-19 in both clinical and academic spaces. Exemplars of thriving global partnerships are provided, alongside palliative nursing considerations and strategies to advance and sustain them. CONCLUSION: The role of nursing to drive and enhance palliative care partnerships, especially with equitable input from low- and middle-income country stakeholders, must be leveraged to advance shared goals and reduce serious health-related suffering around the world.

Confort de los pacientes en cuidados paliativos: una revisión integradora / Conforto de pacientes em cuidados paliativos: revisão integrativa / Comfort of patients in palliative care: an integrative review

OBJETIVO: Identificar y sintetizar las investigaciones que tratan sobre el confort de los pacientes en cuidados paliativos. MÉTODO: Revisión integradora en 11 bases de datos, con la siguiente pregunta de investigación: "¿Cuáles son las estrategias utilizadas para minimizar las necesidades de confort de los pacientes en cuidados paliativos?". Los estudios seleccionados se sometieron a análisis de contenido, con la ayuda del software Interface de R pour les Analyzes Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires - IRAMUTEQ. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 8.109 artículos. Después de aplicar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, se seleccionaron y analizaron 16 artículos. El dendograma generado en el análisis realizado con la ayuda del software IRAMUTEQ facilitó la identificación de las principales estrategias utilizadas para minimizar las necesidades de confort de los pacientes en cuidados paliativos, a saber: red de apoyo social, intervenciones de confort y comunicación en cuidados paliativos. CONCLUSIÓN: La síntesis de los estudios analizados indicó que las principales estrategias utilizadas para disminuir las necesidades de confort de los pacientes en cuidados paliativos son el apoyo (del equipo, social y familiar), contacto físico, afecto, comunicación, conocimiento, alivio del dolor, amabilidad, baño, musicoterapia, radioterapia, contacto con el entorno externo (naturaleza), juego, contacto con otras personas y espiritualidad. Los estudios han demostrado que varias intervenciones no farmacológicas, que parecen triviales y de poca complejidad tecnológica (como disponibilidad, afecto, apoyo, baño), tienen la capacidad de afectar significativamente el estado de confort de los pacientes

OBJETIVO: Identificar e sintetizar as pesquisas que versam sobre o conforto dos pacientes em cuidados paliativos. MÉTODO: Revisão integrativa em 11 bases de dados, com a seguinte questão de pesquisa: "Quais são as estratégias utilizadas para minimizar as necessidades de conforto dos pacientes em cuidados paliativos?". Os estudos selecionados foram submetidos a análise de conteúdo, com auxílio do software Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires - IRAMUTEQ. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados 8.109 artigos. Após a aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, foram selecionados e analisados 16 artigos. O dendograma gerado na análise realizada com auxílio do software IRAMUTEQ facilitou a identificação das principais estratégias utilizadas para minimizar as necessidades de conforto dos pacientes em cuidados paliativos, a saber: rede social de apoio, intervenções de conforto e a comunicação nos cuidados paliativos. CONCLUSÃO: A síntese dos estudos analisados indicou que as principais estratégias utilizadas para diminuir as necessidades de conforto dos pacientes em cuidados paliativos são o apoio (da equipe, social e familiar), contato físico, carinho, comunicação, conhecimento, alívio da dor, gentileza, banho, musicoterapia, radioterapia, contato com o ambiente externo (natureza), brincar, contato com outras pessoas e a espiritualidade. Os estudos demonstraram que várias intervenções não farmacológicas, que parecem triviais e de pouca complexidade tecnológica (como disponibilidade, carinho, apoio, banho), tem a capacidade de afetar significativamente o estado de conforto dos pacientes

oBJECTIVE: Identify and synthesize the research on the comfort of patients in palliative care. METHOD: Integrative review in 11 databases, with the following research question: "What are the strategies used to minimize the comfort needs of patients in palliative care?". The selected studies were submitted to content analysis; with the aid of the software Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires - IRAMUTEQ. RESULTS: The research identified 8,109 articles. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 articles were selected and analyzed. The dendogram generated in the analysis performed with the aid of the IRAMUTEQ software made easier the identification of the main strategies used to minimize the comfort needs of patients in palliative care, as follows: social support network, comfort interventions and communication in palliative care. CONCLUSION: The synthesis of the studies analyzed indicated that the main strategies used to reduce the patients' comfort needs in palliative care are support (from the team, social and family), physical contact, affection, communication, knowledge, pain relief, kindness, bathing, music therapy, radiotherapy, contact with the external environment (nature), recreation, contact with other people and spirituality. The studies showed that several non-pharmacological interventions, which seem trivial and of little technological complexity (such as availability, affection, support, bathing), have the ability to significantly affect the patients' state of comfort

What Variables Contribute to the Achievement of a Preferred Home Death for Cancer Patients in Receipt of Home-Based Palliative Care in Canada?

BACKGROUND: Home is often deemed to be the preferred place of death for most patients. Knowing the factors related to the actualization of a preferred home death may yield evidence to enhance the organization and delivery of healthcare services. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to measure the congruence between a preferred and actualized home death among cancer patients in receipt of home-based palliative care in Canada and explore predictors of actualizing a preferred home death. METHODS: A longitudinal prospective cohort design was conducted. A total of 290 caregivers were interviewed biweekly over the course of patients' palliative care trajectory between July 2010 and August 2012. Cross-tabulations and multivariate analyses were used in the analysis. RESULTS: Home was the most preferred place of death, and 68% of patients who had voiced a preference for home death had their wish fulfilled. Care context variables, such as living with others and the intensity of home-based nursing visits and hours of care provided by personal support workers (PSW), contributed to actualizing a preferred home death. The intensity of emergency department visits was associated with a lower likelihood of achieving a preferred home death. CONCLUSIONS: Higher intensity of home-based nursing visits and hours of PSW care contribute to the actualization of a preferred home death. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study has implications for policy decision-makers and healthcare managers. Improving and expanding the provision of home-based PSW and nursing services in palliative home care programs may help patients to actualize a preferred home death.

Perspectiva de los profesionales de la salud sobre cuidados al final de la vida en unidades de cuidados intensivos / Perspective of health personnel on end-of-life care in Intensive Care Units

OBJETIVO: Comprender el sentido otorgado por los profesionales de la salud de la Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo (UCI), respecto a los cuidados del paciente al final de la vida, y de sus familiares. MÉTODOS: Estudio cualitativo con un diseño Investigación-Acción (IA), en dos UCIs de la ciudad de Bogotá. Se formó un grupo en cada unidad, cada uno incluyó mínimo seis trabajadores de la salud. Las técnicas de recogida de datos fueron: 4 Asambleas participativas y 6 narrativas clínicas. El análisis de datos incluyó la preparación de los datos, descubrimiento de temas, codificación e interpretación de datos, relativización y rigor de los datos. RESULTADOS: Participaron 20 trabajadores de UCI, del análisis de los datos emergieron cuatro categorías: Equipo multidisciplinario de UCI frente al proceso de fin de vida, Manejo del paciente crítico y de su familia, al final de la vida en UCI, Proceso de Comunicación entre el paciente, familia y equipo multidisciplinario al final de la vida, Aspectos éticos al final de la vida en la UCI. CONCLUSIONES: Los profesionales conciben como un objetivo terapéutico, preservar la calidad de vida durante la estancia del paciente en UCI. Para los profesionales de la salud, es fundamental desarrollar guías basadas en la evidencia que faciliten el manejo multidisciplinar al final de la vida, la personalización de la atención, la comunicación efectiva, la satisfacción de las necesidades físicas, emocionales y espirituales de la persona y su familiar y favorecer el derecho de autonomía del paciente en la toma de decisiones

OBJECTIVE: To understand for what care of the patient at the end of life and their relatives means to ICU health professionals. METHODS: Qualitative study with a Research-Action (AI) design, in two intensive care units of the city of Bogotá. Groups were formed in each unit and each group included at least six health professionals, the data collection techniques were: 4 participative assemblies and 6 clinical narratives, the data analysis was done through the preparation of the data, discovery of topics, coding and interpretation of data, relativisation and rigour of the data. RESULTS: 20 ICU workers participated, the analysis of the data revealed four thematic categories: Multidisciplinary team of the ICU facing the end-of-life process, Management of critical patients and their families at the end of life in the ICU, Communication process between the patient, family and multidisciplinary team at the end of life, Ethical aspects at the end of life in the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: The professionals consider preserving quality of life during the patient's stay in the ICU a therapeutic objective. The development of evidence-based guidelines that facilitate multidisciplinary management at the end of life, customisation of care, effective communication, fulfilling the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the person and their family and favouring the patient's right of autonomy in decision making

When and how clinical nurses adjust nursing care at the end-of-life among patients with cancer: Findings from multiple focus groups.

PURPOSE: Defining patients as 'terminally-ill' may be difficult. Therefore, determining when to shift the goal of care from curative to comfort care may be extremely challenging. The aim of this study was to merge when and how Registered Nurses (RNs) and Nurses' Assistants (NAs) adjust end-of-life care to pursue patient comfort at the end of their lives. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study based on multiple focus groups was performed in 2017 according to the COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research guidelines. In all, 25 RNs and 16 NAs across seven north-east Italian facilities that provide end-of-life care, voluntarily participated in the study. Each focus group was conducted following the same interview guide with open-ended questions, and was audiotaped. A thematic analysis was applied to interview transcripts. RESULTS: The process of nursing care plan adjustment is based upon two main themes, around 'when' and 'how' to adjust it. Regarding when, 'Detecting the turning point', and 'Being ready to change continuously until the end' emerged as the main sub-themes. Regarding how, 'Weighing harms and benefits of nursing care interventions'; 'Advocating for patients' wishes', 'Sharing the adjustments inside the team at different levels', 'Involving family in the adjustments of nursing care'; and 'Allowing care to move away from evidence-based practice' were the sub-themes emerged. CONCLUSIONS: Shedding light on the implicit decisional processes that inform care adjustments and the implementation of related strategies is essential to improve the quality of end-of-life care given that an early detection of the terminal phase has been reported to result in changes of care improving outcomes.

An Exploratory Study of the Influence of Perceived Organizational Support, Coworker Social Support, the Nursing Practice Environment, and Nurse Demographics on Burnout in Palliative Care Nurses.

Burnout, a condition characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased personal accomplishment, has been studied in many disciplines in health care, including nursing, medicine, and social work. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived organizational support, coworker social support, the nursing practice environment, and nurse demographics (age, years of nursing experience, education level, marital status, and sex) on burnout in a national sample of palliative care nurses. The study aims were (1) to examine the relationship between perceived organizational support, coworker social support, and nursing practice environment on burnout in palliative care nurses; (2) to examine the relationship between age, years of nursing experience, education level, marital status, and sex on burnout in palliative care nurses; and (3) to examine potential moderators (perceived organizational support and coworker social support) on the relationship between demographic characteristics and palliative care nurse burnout. A convenience sample of 73 Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association registered nurses who were bedside caregivers was recruited from Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association's membership. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and regression modeling. Findings indicated palliative care nurses had moderate to high levels of burnout. There was a negative correlation between burnout and perceived organizational support, and between burnout and coworker social support. The nursing practice environment of palliative care nurses was favorable; perceived organizational support and coworker social support were not moderators for demographics of age and years of experience and their relationship to burnout.

Acompañamiento a los pacientes al final de la vida durante la pandemia por COVID-19 / Accompaniment of patients at the end of life during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJETIVOS: Describir el acompañamiento y la despedida de los pacientes en situación de últimos días a nivel hospitalario y residencial y conocer las actitudes profesionales hacia el cuidado de los pacientes al final de su vida durante la pandemia por COVID-19. MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo transversal dirigido a profesionales de enfermería. La recogida de datos se realizó a través de un cuestionario ad hoc a través de Google Forms, durante abril y mayo de 2020. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, laborales, de formación, variables de satisfacción, motivación y estrés laboral y la escala de actitudes hacia el cuidado de pacientes al final de la vida. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo univariante de los sujetos de la muestra y de cada una de las variables estudiadas mediante proporciones, frecuencias, medidas de tendencia central y de dispersión mediante SPSS 22.0. RESULTADOS: Según los profesionales, un porcentaje importante de pacientes con diagnóstico de COVID-19 (38,8 %, n = 110) no han estado acompañados en las últimas 48 horas de vida; este se ha limitado a horas (56,4 %, n = 154). La despedida se ha producido mayoritariamente antes del fallecimiento (44,1 %, n = 143). Gran parte de los profesionales han notado cambios en el acompañamiento y despedida (77,3 %, n = 211), al igual que en su forma de cuidar. Un 52,4 % (n = 143) refieren haber encontrado algún paciente fallecido al entrar en la habitación. CONCLUSIONES: A pesar de la existencia de protocolos de acompañamiento y el esfuerzo de los sanitarios, la soledad ha estado presente en los pacientes durante la pandemia. Los profesionales han modificado el cuidado proporcionado a los pacientes al final de la vida, generando conflictos y actitudes emocionales negativas hacia el cuidado de estos pacientes durante la pandemia. La situación de aislamiento supone un coste emocional para profesionales y familias en duelo, que será importante valorar y estudiar a medio plazo

OBJECTIVES: This study describes how patients were accompanied and bidden farewell in their last few days of life at hospitals and nursing homes. It also describes the attitudes of health professionals towards the care of patients in the last days of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in nurses. Data collection was done by an ad-hoc questionnaire in April and May 2020 through Google Forms. Collected variables included social demographics, work environment, training, satisfaction variables, motivation, work-related stress, and an attitude towards patients at the end of life scale. A descriptive univariate analysis of the subjects in the sample was carried out using the SPSS 22.0 software including proportions, frequencies, measurements of central tendency, and distribution. RESULTS: According to professionals, an important number of patients diagnosed with Covid-19 (38.8%, n = 110) were not accompanied in their last 48 hours of life. This was limited to a few hours (56.4%, n = 154), and saying goodbye was done in a majority of cases before death (44.1%, n = 143). A great number of professionals have noticed changes in accompanying and saying goodbye (77.3%, n = 211), including their way of caring. A total of 52.4%, n = 143, said that they had found patients dead on entering the room; 53.1%, n = 178 were aware of accompanying protocols. CONCLUSIONS: It is obviously clear that many patients were alone during their last hours in spite of accompaniment protocols and the efforts of the staff looking after them. Professionals have modified the care given to patients at the end of life during the pandemic, generating conflicts and negative emotional attitudes. Isolation has a great emotional cost for the staff and for families during bereavement, which is important to study and evaluate in the mid-term

Telling their story: A qualitative descriptive study of the lived experience of expatriate palliative care nurses in the United Arab Emirates.

PURPOSE: To explore the experiences of expatriate nurses caring for Muslim patients near end-of-life in a palliative care unit in the United Arab Emirates. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study, with data collected through semi structured individual interviews with nine expatriate nurses working in a palliative care unit in one hospital in the United Arab Emirates. Thematic analysis of the data transcripts used a structured inductive approach. RESULTS: Analysis of the interview transcripts yielded three themes. First, language was a significant barrier in end-of-life care but was transcended when nurses practiced authentically, using presence, empathetic touch and spiritual care. Secondly, relationships between nurses, patients and families were strengthened over time, which was not always possible due to late presentation in the palliative care unit. Finally, nurses were continually in discussions with physicians, families and other nurses, co-creating the meaning of new information and experiences within the hospital policy context. CONCLUSION: For expatriate nurses, palliative nursing in a Muslim middle eastern country is complex, requiring nurses to be creative in their communication to co-create meaning in an emotionally intensive environment. Like other palliative care settings, time can strengthen relationships with patients and their families, but local cultural norms often meant that patients came to palliative care late in their disease trajectory. Preparing expatriate nurses for work in specialist palliative care settings requires skill development in advanced communication and spiritual practices, as well as principles of palliative care and tenets of Muslim culture.

Learning a palliative care approach during the COVID-19 pandemic: A case study in an Infectious Diseases Unit.

BACKGROUND: Hospital palliative care is an essential part of the COVID-19 response, but relevant data are lacking. The recent literature underscores the need to implement protocols for symptom control and the training of non-specialists by palliative care teams. AIM: The aim of the study was to describe a palliative care unit's consultation and assistance intervention at the request of an Infectious Diseases Unit during the COVID-19 pandemic, determining what changes needed to be made in delivering palliative care. DESIGN: This is a single holistic case study design using data triangulation, for example, audio recordings of team meetings and field notes. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: This study was conducted in the Palliative Care Unit of the AUSL-IRCCS hospital of Reggio Emilia, which has no designated beds, consulting with the Infectious Diseases Unit of the same hospital. RESULTS: A total of 9 physicians and 22 nurses of the Infectious Diseases Unit and two physicians of the Palliative Care Unit participated in the study.Our Palliative Care Unit developed a feasible 18-day multicomponent consultation intervention. Three macro themes were identified: (1) new answers to new needs, (2) symptom relief and decision-making process, and (3) educational and training issues. CONCLUSION: From the perspective of palliative care, some changes in usual care needed to be made. These included breaking bad news, patients' use of communication devices, the limited time available for the delivery of care, managing death necessarily only inside the hospital, and relationships with families.

Nurses' decision-making about cancer patients' end-of-life skin care in Wales: an exploratory mixed-method vignette study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with cancer are at high risk of developing pressure ulcers at the end of life as a result of their underlying condition or cancer treatment. There are many guidelines which set out best practice with regard to end-of-life skin care. However, the complexity of palliative cancer care often means that it is challenging for nurses to make the appropriate person-centred decisions about end-of-life skin care. This study seeks to explore the perceived importance that nurses place on different factors in their end-of-life skin care for patients with cancer. The utility, face validity and content validity of a prototype decision-making tool for end-of-life skin care will also be evaluated. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A mixed-method design will be used to gather data from primary and secondary care nurses working in different hospitals and local authority areas across Wales. Clinical vignettes will be used to gather qualitative and quantitative data from nurses in individual interviews. Qualitative data will be subject to thematic analysis and quantitative data will be subject to descriptive statistical analysis. Qualitative and quantitative data will then be synthesised, which will enhance the rigour of this study, and pertinently inform the further development of an end-of-life skin care decision-making tool for patients with cancer. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval to undertake the study has been granted by Cardiff University School of Healthcare Sciences Research Governance and Ethics Screening Committee. Informed consent will be obtained in writing from all the participants in this study. The results of this study will be disseminated through journal articles, as well as presentations at national and international conferences. We will also report our findings to patient and public involvement groups with an interest in improving cancer care, palliative care as well as skin care.

Managing delirium in terminally ill patients: perspective of palliative care nurse specialists.

Delirium occurs frequently at end of life. Palliative care clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) are involved in community palliative care provision. Many patients prefer being cared for at home, yet managing delirium in this setting presents unique challenges, potentially resulting in emergency hospital or hospice admission. We examined the experiences and practice of palliative care CNSs managing delirium in the community; 10 interviews were undertaken. Data were analysed using the framework approach. Challenges to delirium management in the community included limited time with patients, reliance on families and access to medications. Assessment tools were not used routinely; time limited visits and inconsistent retesting were perceived barriers. Management approaches differed depending on CNSs' previous delirium education. Strategies to prevent delirium were not used. Community delirium management presents challenges; support surrounding these could be beneficial. Routine assessment tool use and delirium prevention strategies should be included in further education and research.

Breast cancer nursing interventions and clinical effectiveness: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of nurse-led interventions on the health-related quality of life, symptom burden and self-management/behavioural outcomes in women with breast cancer. METHODS: Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medline and Embase databases were searched (January 1999 to May 2019) to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled before-and-after studies of interventions delivered by nurses with oncology experience for women with breast cancer. Risk of bias was evaluated using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials. Intervention effects were synthesised by cancer trajectory using The Omaha System Intervention Classification Scheme. RESULTS: Thirty-one RCTs (4651 participants) were included. All studies were at risk of bias mainly due to inherent limitations such as lack of blinding and self-report data. Most studies (71%; n=22) reported at least one superior intervention effect. There were no differences in all outcomes between those who receive nurse-led surveillance care versus those who received physical led or usual discharge care. Compared with control interventions, there were superior teaching, guidance and counselling (63%) and case management (100%) intervention effects on symptom burden during treatment and survivorship. Effects of these interventions on health-related quality of life and symptom self-management/behavioural outcomes were inconsistent. DISCUSSION: There is consistent evidence from RCTs that nurse-led surveillance interventions are as safe and effective as physician-led care and strong evidence that nurse-led teaching, guidance and counselling and case management interventions are effective for symptom management. Future studies should ensure the incorporation of health-related quality of life and self-management/behavioural outcomes and consider well-designed attentional placebo controls to blind participants for self-report outcomes. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO): CRD42020134914).

Nivel de conocimientos en cuidados paliativos de las enfermeras; un estudio descriptivo en el Área de Salud VII de la Región de Murcia / Level of knowledge in palliative care among nurses. A descriptive study in health Area VII of the Murcia Region, Spain

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las enfermeras en ocasiones no se sienten lo suficientemente preparadas para proporcionar unos cuidados paliativos de calidad. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el nivel de conocimientos que poseen las enfermeras sobre conceptos básicos de cuidados paliativos y las variables que se relacionan con dicho nivel de conocimientos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo transversal realizado en Atención Primaria y Hospitalaria a 338 enfermeras del Área VII de la Región de Murcia entre marzo y mayo de 2018. Se empleó el cuestionario validado "Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing", autocumplimentado y anónimo. Se llevó a cabo un análisis descriptivo de las variables y un análisis de correlación entre las variables con la puntuación media obtenida. RESULTADOS: Grado de cumplimentación: 82,25 % (n = 278); siendo 226 de las participantes mujeres (edad media de 43,6 ± 10,6 años). El 65,7 % obtuvo un nivel bajo de conocimientos en cuidados paliativos, con una puntuación media de 10,35 ± 2,67 de aciertos sobre un total de 20 cuestiones. Se identificaron diferencias significativas de la media de aciertos en función de tener formación en cuidados paliativos (p < 0,007), las horas de formación (p < 0,008), tener experiencia en cuidados paliativos (p < 0,001) y el sentirse profesionalmente capacitado para proporcionar cuidados paliativos (p < 0,001). El 89,6 % consideraba insuficiente la formación de enfermería en cuidados paliativos y el 48,2 % no se sentía lo suficientemente capacitada para proporcionar cuidados paliativos. DISCUSIÓN: La mayoría de las enfermeras del Área de Salud VII tenían un nivel bajo de conocimientos en cuidados paliativos. La realización de cursos de formación podría aumentar sus conocimientos, además de incrementar la calidad de los cuidados proporcionados

INTRODUCTION: Sometimes nurses do not feel sufficiently prepared to provide quality palliative care. Several studies have confirmed this fact, which implies nurses have a mid or low level of knowledge. The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge nurses possess regarding the basic concepts of palliative care, and the variables associated to that level of knowledge. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the primary and hospital care settings of Health Area VII of the Region of Murcia from March to May 2018. Out of the total of 486 nurses who worked in that Area, 338 were invited to participate. These nurses had to fill in the validated questionnaire "Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing" anonymously. A descriptive analysis was made of the variables, as well as a correlation analysis between the sociodemographic and training variables with the average score obtained. RESULTS: The degree of completion was 82.25 % (n = 278); 226 of the participants were women, with an average age of 43.6 ± 10.6 years; 65.7 % of the nurses had a low level of knowledge in palliative care, with a mean score of 10.35 ± 2.67 of correct answers on 20 questions. Significant differences were identified between the average number of correct answers regarding training in palliative care (p < 0.007), hours of training (p < 0.008), experience in palliative care (p < 0.001), and whether they felt qualified to provide palliative care (p < 0.001). In all, 89.6 % of the participants considered that nurse training in palliative care was insufficient, and 48.2 % of them did not feel sufficiently qualified to provide care to terminal patients. DISCUSSION: Most nurses had a low level of knowledge related to palliative care. Training courses could increase their knowledge, in addition to improving quality for the care provided

La agonía en el paciente en situación terminal / Agony in the patient in terminal situation

A lo largo del proceso de la enfermedad terminal, el enfermo presenta una serie de síntomas refractarios que no responden a un tratamiento habitual, por lo que los cuidados de enfermería irán dirigidos a fomentar la calidad de vida del paciente. La agonía es la etapa que precede a la muerte, y suscita en el paciente y sus familiares necesidades integrales. Dentro de los cuidados que precisan los pacientes en situación terminal no debemos olvidar los de ámbito espiritual y psicológicos; se genera así la necesidad de formar al personal sanitario en esta esfera específica. Por último, cuando la fase agónica se vuelve intolerable y devastadora para el paciente, recurrimos a la sedación paliativa como opción de tratamiento para disminuir el nivel d conciencia del enfermo terminal, con la finalidad de controlar los síntomas refractarios del paciente y aliviar su sufrimiento

Throughout the process of terminal illness, the patient presents a series of refractory symptoms which do not respond to regular treatment, so that nursing care will be aimed at promoting the quality of life of the patient. The agony is the stage that precedes the death arousing in the patient and his family's integral needs. Among the care required by terminally ill patients, we must not forget those of a spiritual and psychological nature, thus generating the need to train health personnel in this area in order to respond to these specific needs. Finally, when the dying phase becomes intolerable and devastating for the patient, we resort to palliative sedation as a treatment option to lower the level of consciousness of the terminally ill patient, in order to control the patient's refractory symptoms and alleviate their suffering

"To live until you die could actually include being intimate and having sex": A focus group study on nurses' experiences of their work with sexuality in palliative care.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To examine nurses' experiences of working with issues of sexuality in palliative care. BACKGROUND: Sexuality has value for human lives and relations and is important for one's overall well-being throughout life. Guidelines for palliative care state that sexuality should be addressed. Previous research shows that the inclusion of sexuality in general health care is deficient, and there is a knowledge gap on how sexuality is addressed in palliative care. METHOD: Within a qualitative design, the empirical material was obtained through three focus group interviews with eleven registered nurses working in palliative care. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULT: Nurses experience that sexuality has an indistinct place in their work, "sexuality" is a word difficult to use, and differing views are held on whether it is relevant to address sexuality, and if so, when? Although they have experiences involving patient and partner sexuality, which is viewed as sexuality in transformation during the palliative care process, nurses seldom explicitly address patient or partner sexuality. Despite the lack of knowledge, routines and organisational support, they acknowledge the importance of addressing sexuality in palliative care, as they express that they want to do right. CONCLUSION: Overall, nurses appear to follow differing cultural, interpersonal and intrapsychic scripts on sexuality rather than knowledge-based guidelines. This underlines the importance of managers who safeguard the adherence to existing palliative care guidelines where sexuality is already included. In this work, it is important to be aware of norms to avoid excluding patients and partners that differ from the nurses themselves as well as from societal norms on sexuality. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICES: The results can be used as a point of departure when implementing existing or new guidelines to include and address sexuality and sexual health needs in palliative care.

Embedded palliative care for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a mixed-methods pilot study.

PURPOSE: Palliative care is recommended for patients with metastatic cancer, but there has been limited research about embedded palliative care for specific patient populations. We describe the impact of a pilot program that provided routine, early, integrated palliative care to patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. METHODS: Mixed methods pre-post intervention cohort study at an academic cancer center. Thirty control then 30 intervention patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were surveyed at baseline and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months thereafter about symptoms, quality-of-life, and likelihood of cure. We compared survey responses, trends over time, rates of advance care planning, and healthcare utilization between groups. Patients, family caregivers, and clinicians were interviewed. RESULTS: Patients in the intervention group were followed for an average of 6.5 months and had an average of 3.5 palliative care visits. At baseline, symptoms were mild (average 1.85/10) and 78.2% of patients reported good/excellent quality-of-life. Half (50.9%) believed they were likely to be cured of cancer. Over time, symptoms and quality-of-life metrics remained similar between groups, however intervention patients were more realistic about their likelihood of cure (p = 0.008). Intervention patients were more likely to have a surrogate documented (83.3% vs. 26.7%, p < 0.0001), an advance directive completed (63.3% vs. 13.3%, p < 0.0001), and non-full code status (43.3% vs. 16.7%, p < 0.03). All patients and family caregivers would recommend the program to others with cancer. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the impact of an embedded palliative care program for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, which improved prognostic awareness and rates of advance care planning.