In:
OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying, SAGE Publications
Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic compounded isolation for patients through social distancing measures and staff shortages. We were concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on the quality of care provided at end-of-life in 2021 in a national cancer centre, and instigated the first ever review of the care of the dying. Quality of care was assessed retrospectively using a validated instrument developed by the United Kingdom’s National Quality Board. Sixty-six patient deaths occurred in our cancer centre in 2021. The ‘risk of dying’ was documented in 65.2% of records. Palliative care services were involved in 77%, and pastoral care in 10.6%. What was important to the patient was documented in 24.2%. The ‘quality-of-death’ score was satisfactory for most but poor in 21.2%. Our study prompted change, including appointment of an end-of-life coordinator, development of a checklist to ensure comprehensive communication, expansion of the end-of-life committee to include junior doctors, and regular audit.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0030-2228
,
1541-3764
DOI:
10.1177/00302228231196620
Language:
English
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2066854-5
SSG:
5,2
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