Analysis of palliative care needs in hospitalized patients.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of palliative care needs in patients in an acute care hospital and to analyze the profile of these patients. DESIGN: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study in an acute care hospital, in April 2018. The study population consisted of all patients over 18 years of age admitted to hospital wards and intensive care units. Variables were collected on a single day by six micro-teams using the NECPAL CCOMS-ICO© instrument. The descriptive analysis, on patient mortality and length of stay, was performed at a one-month follow-up. RESULTS: We assessed 153 patients, of whom 65 (42.5%) were female, with a mean age of 68.17±17.03 years. A total of 45 patients (29.4%) were found to be SQ+, of which 42 were NECPAL+ (27.5%), with a mean age of 76.64±12.70 years. According to the disease indicators, 33.35% had cancer, 28.6% had heart disease, and 19% had COPD, resulting in a ratio of 1:3 between patients with cancer and non-cancer disease. Half of the inpatients in need of palliative care were in the Internal Medicine Unit. CONCLUSIONS: Almost 28% of patients were identified as NECPAL+, most of them not identified as under palliative care in clinical records. Greater awareness and knowledge from healthcare professionals would facilitate the early identification of these patients and avoid overlooking palliative care needs.

Instruments for assessing health professionals' skills in breaking bad news: protocol for a systematic review of measurement properties.

INTRODUCTION: Health professionals are often involved in the process of breaking bad news (BBN), which remains a difficult challenge, as it requires not only theoretical knowledge, but also the development of humanistic, emotional and communication skills. Therefore, optimal BBN assessment is essential. In this regard, sound measurement instruments are needed to evaluate BBN properly in research, teaching and clinical settings. Several instruments have been designed and validated to assess BBN. In this context, choosing the most appropriate instrument for assessing health professionals' skills in BBN is essential. The aims of this systematic review are to: (1) identify all the instruments used for assessing health professionals' skills in BBN; and (2) critically appraise their measurement properties. METHODS: A systematic review will be undertaken according to the most up-to-date COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments' (COSMIN) methodology. The protocol of this systematic review was developed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The search strategy will be performed following the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies. The search strategy will be conducted in CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, SciELO and Open Grey. Two review authors will independently appraise the full-text articles according to the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist. Quality ratings and evidence synthesis will be performed using a modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not necessary for systematic review protocols. The results will be disseminated by publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at a relevant conference. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020207586.

Evaluación de necesidades paliativas en el paciente con enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis / Palliative needs assessment in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis

Introducción: Los cuidados paliativos aportan una atención necesaria que promueve una respuesta integral y coordinada del sistema sanitario respetando la autonomía y valores de los pacientes en situación de final de vida. Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia de necesidad de cuidados paliativos en la unidad de hemodiálisis de nuestro centro mediante el instrumento validado NECPAL CCOMSS-ICO e identificar la situación de complejidad en pacientes con necesidades paliativas usando la herramienta de IDC-Pal. Material y Método: Estudio observacional transversal. Tres enfermeras con formación en cuidados paliativos y en el uso de los cuestionarios NECPAL CCOMS-ICO y el IDC-Pal evaluaron de forma independiente a todos los pacientes de la unidad de crónicos de hemodiálisis. Las evaluaciones fueron realizadas entre los días 6 y 10 de marzo. Las discrepancias se resolvieron consensuando el resultado final entre las tres profesionales. Resultados: Se analizaron a 50 pacientes, con una edad media de 68.24. El perfil de paciente más frecuente fue aquel con un tiempo de permanencia en hemodiálisis de 48,8 meses de media. La enfermedad renal primaria y comorbilidad más prevalente fueron la nefropatía diabética (26%) y la hipertensión arterial (56%) respectivamente. Se identificaron 20 pacientes con necesidad de atención paliativa (40%). Respecto a la evaluación del IDC-Pal, se obtuvieron 19 pacientes en situación de complejidad y 1 en situación de no complejidad. Conclusiones: Las necesidades paliativas complejas sugieren la necesidad de realizar evaluaciones periódicas en las unidades de hemodiálisis, así como un enfoque asistencial multidisciplinar para dar respuesta a las necesidades identificadas (AU)

Introduction: The palliative care provides a necessary attention that promotes a comprehensive response and coordination of the health system respecting the autonomy and values of patients in the end-of-life situation. Aim: To determine the prevalence of the need for palliative care in the hemodialysis unit of our center using the validated instrument NECPAL CCOMSS-ICO and to identify the complexity situation in patients with palliative needs using IDC-Pal. Material and Method: Cross-sectional observational study. Three nurses trained in palliative care and in the use of the NECPAL CCOMS-ICO and IDC-Pal questionnaires independently assessed all patients in the chronic hemodialysis unit. The evaluations were carried out between the 6th and 10th of March. The discrepancies were resolved agreeing the final result among the three professionals. Results: 50 patients were analysed, with a mean age of 68.24. The most frequent patient profile was with a permanence time in hemodialysis of 48.8 months of means. The most prevalent renal disease and comorbidity were diabetic nephropathy (26%) and hypertension (56%), respectively. 20 patients with palliative care (40%) were identified. Regarding the evaluation of the IDC-Pal, 19 patients were obtained in a situation of complexity and 1 in situation of non-complexity. Conclusions: Complex palliative needs suggest the need for periodic evaluations in hemodialysis units, as well as a multidisciplinary care approach to respond to identified needs (AU)