Cuidados paliativos en pacientes oncológicos terminales en la Fundación al Servicio del Enfermo con Cáncer 2017 – 2018

Abstract

Background: Palliative care is presented as a cornerstone in the treatment of patients with terminal cancer, trying to reduce suffering to a minimum and trying to improve the quality of life of the patient. Objective: The objective of the proposed research is to identify the palliative care that is carried out in the Foundation for the Service of the Patient with Cancer (FASEC) in the period January - December 2018. Method: The study is quantitative, descriptive, retrospective. Supported by the review of digital medical records of 256 terminal cancer patients hospitalized at FASEC receiving palliative therapy. The variables evaluated were age, gender, civil status, length of hospital stay, supportive therapies, drugs used, and type of treatment. Descriptive statistical techniques were used for the analysis. Results: 38.3% of patients were between 63 and 77 years old; the distribution between men and women is similar (46.1% and 53.9%); 41.4% were hospitalized between 16 to 45 days; 96.1% of patients received gastrointestinal drugs followed by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics; 71.1% required assistance for their activities. 64.5% used drug therapy followed by surgery with 56.6%. 78.5% needed psychological support therapies. Conclusions: pharmacotherapy was the most applied treatment, followed by surgery; psychological support therapies were support measures provided more frequently in the patients studied.