American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Changes in Perceptions of Opioids Before and After Admission to Palliative Care Units in Japan: Results of a Nationwide Bereaved Family Member Survey
This study aimed to clarify perspectives of bereaved family members regarding opioids and compare perceptions before admission and after bereavement. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey for bereaved family members in 100 inpatient palliative care units was administered. Participants were 297 bereaved family members of patients who used opioids. Many bereaved family members had misconceptions of opioids before admission. There was improvement after bereavement, but understanding remained low. Respondents less than 65 years old showed significantly greater decreases in misconceptions regarding opioids compared to older ge...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - May 2, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Kinoshita, S., Miyashita, M., Morita, T., Sato, K., Miyazaki, T., Shoji, A., Chiba, Y., Tsuneto, S., Shima, Y. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Japanese Bereaved Family Members Perspectives of Palliative Care Units and Palliative Care: J-HOPE Study Results
The study purpose was to understand the perspectives of bereaved family members regarding palliative care unit (PCU) and palliative care and to compare perceptions of PCU before admission and after bereavement. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted, and the perceptions of 454 and 424 bereaved family members were obtained regarding PCU and palliative care, respectively. Family members were significantly more likely to have positive perceptions after bereavement (ranging from 73% to 80%) compared to before admission (ranging from 62% to 71%). Bereaved family members who were satisfied with medical care in the ...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - May 2, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Kinoshita, S., Miyashita, M., Morita, T., Sato, K., Shoji, A., Chiba, Y., Miyazaki, T., Tsuneto, S., Shima, Y. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Pediatric Euthanasia and Palliative Care Can Work Together
This article shows how several recent arguments against pediatric euthanasia fail to prove that pediatric euthanasia is unacceptable. It does not follow from this that the practice is permissible but rather that if one is to reject such a practice, stronger arguments will need to be made, especially in countries where adult euthanasia or assisted suicide is already permitted. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - May 2, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Hanson, S. S. Tags: Commentaries Source Type: research

Anticipatory Grief: A Mere Concept?
Anticipatory grief (AG) has been studied, debated, and written about for several decades. This type of grief is also recognized in hospice and palliative care (HPC). The question, however, is whether the reality of AG is sufficiently upheld by professionals at the point of concrete service delivery. In other words, is AG a mere concept or is everyday practice of HPC duly informed of AG as evidenced by the resulting care delivery? (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - May 2, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Moon, P. J. Tags: Commentaries Source Type: research

Medical Therapy of Malignant Bowel Obstruction With Octreotide, Dexamethasone, and Metoclopramide
Conclusion: Combination medical therapy may provide rapid improvement in symptoms associated with malignant bowel obstruction and dysfunction. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - March 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Berger, J., Lester, P., Rodrigues, L. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

A Hospice and Palliative Care Bed Dedicated to Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department for End-of-Life Care
A hospice and palliative care (PC) bed was created in 2006, located within a quiet area of our intensive care unit, in order to admit terminally ill patients sent to the emergency department (ED) for end-of-life care. We retrospectively analyze the records of the 342 terminally ill patients sent to the ED from 2007 to 2011. Among them, 176 (51.5%) were admitted to our hospice and PC bed, where 114 died. Besides, 99 (28.9%) of them died on stretchers in the ED. Our intervention led to a significant decrease in the number of terminally ill patients dying on stretchers in the ED. It also allowed both patients and families to ...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - March 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Lafond, P., Chalayer, E., Roussier, M., Weber, E., Lacoin-Reynaud, Q., Tardy, B. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Essential Elements of an Effective Prison Hospice Program
We describe key characteristics of each of these elements, discuss how they align with earlier recommendations and research, and show how their integration supports a sustained model of prison end-of-life care. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - March 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Cloyes, K. G., Rosenkranz, S. J., Berry, P. H., Supiano, K. P., Routt, M., Shannon-Dorcy, K., Llanque, S. M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Challenges of Providing End-of-Life Care for Homeless Veterans
Conclusions: Personal, clinical, and structural challenges face care providers for veterans who are homeless at EOL. Deeper understanding of these challenges will require qualitative study of homeless veterans and care providers. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - March 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Hutt, E., Whitfield, E., Min, S.-J., Jones, J., Weber, M., Albright, K., Levy, C., OToole, T. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Survival Prediction in Ambulatory Patients With Stage III/IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Using the Palliative Performance Scale, ECOG, and Lung Cancer Symptom Scale
Conclusions: The LCSS predicted prognosis best in this study. The PPS did not accurately predict prognosis in our patient population. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - March 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: OMahony, S., Nathan, S., Mohajer, R., Bonomi, P., Batus, M., Fidler, M. J., Wells, K., Kern, N., Sims, S., Amin, D. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Palliative Sedation at the End of Life: Patterns of Use in an Israeli Hospice
Palliative sedation (PS) is indicated for refractory symptoms among dying patients. This retrospective descriptive study examines PS in an Israeli hospice. Palliative sedation was defined as PS to unconsciousness (PSU), PS proportionate to symptoms (proportional palliative sedation [PPS]), or intermittent PS (IPS). Among 179 patients who died during 2012, PS was used among 21.2% (n = 38): (PSU 34.2%, PPS 34.2%, and IPS 31.6%), using midazolam (n = 33/38), halidol (21/38), and concurrent morphine (n = 35/38). Indications included agitation (71%), pain (36.8%), and dyspnea (21%). Survival following initiation of PS was 73 &p...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - March 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Azoulay, D., Shahal-Gassner, R., Yehezkel, M., Eliyahu, E., Weigert, N., Ein-Mor, E., Jacobs, J. M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Palliative Sedation and What Constitutes Active Dying: A Case of Severe Progressive Dystonia and Intractable Pain
We present the case of a 34-year-old woman with Klippel-Feil syndrome who developed progressive generalized dystonia of unclear etiology, resulting in intractable pain despite aggressive medical and surgical interventions. Ultimately, palliative sedation was required to relieve suffering. Herein, we describe ethical considerations including defining sedation, determining prognosis in the setting of an undefined neurodegenerative condition, and use of treatments that concurrently might prolong or alter end-of-life trajectory. We highlight pertinent literature and how it may be applied in challenging and unique clinical situ...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - March 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Strand, J. J., Feely, M. A., Kramer, N. M., Moeschler, S. M., Swetz, K. M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Family Members Experience With Hospice in Nursing Homes
Research has documented numerous benefits and challenges associated with receipt of hospice care in nursing homes; however, study of this partnership from the perspective of residents’ family members has been limited. The purpose of this qualitative investigation was to explore family members’ experience with hospice services received in the nursing home setting. Researchers conducted a secondary data analysis of 175 family member interviews using a thematic analytic approach. Findings highlighted the critical role of communication in supporting residents and their family members. Care coordination, support and...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - March 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Gage, L. A., Washington, K., Oliver, D. P., Kruse, R., Lewis, A., Demiris, G. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Palliative Care Caregivers Grief Mediators: A Prospective Study
The aim of the study is to identify the mediators of complicated grief in a Portuguese sample of caregivers. Grief mediators were prospectively evaluated using a list of risk factors completed by the palliative care team members, during the predeath and bereavement period. More than 6 months after the death, we applied PG-13 to diagnose prolonged grief disorder (PGD). The sample was composed of 64 family caregivers. Factors associated with PGD were insecure and dependent relationship, unresolved family crisis, and the perceived deterioration and disfigurement of the patient. The results show relational factors are relevant...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - March 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Coelho, A. M., Delalibera, M. A., Barbosa, A. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Concurrent Specialized Palliative Care Upon Initiation of First-Line Chemotherapy for Cancer Progression: Is It Early Enough?
Conclusion: This approach may facilitate high quality of PC. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - March 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Nakajima, N., Abe, Y. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Motivations, Satisfaction, and Fears of Death and Dying in Residential Hospice Volunteers: A Prospective Longitudinal Study
Conclusion: Volunteering in a residential hospice tends to be a satisfying experience that helps to allay fears about death and dying. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - March 17, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Nissim, R., Emmerson, D., ONeill, B., Marchington, K., Draper, H., Rodin, G. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research