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BACKGROUND: The National Oncology Institute of Panama has been hospitalizing palliative care cancer patients since 2012. However, there are no studies that measure the characteristics of these patients, the reasons for hospitalization and the interventions performed.
OBJECTIVES: To describe the main symptoms leading to hospitalization in palliative care cancer patients, the management provided and the preferences of patients for the place of care.
METHODS: We conducted a prospective, longitudinal, observational and descriptive study. Palliative care cancer patients were enrolled after attending the emergency room with an uncontrolled symptom. An ESAS-r symptom questionnaire was administered at admission and at discharge. Medical records were reviewed to collect patient characteristics and interventions performed during hospitalization.
RESULTS: 76 patients were enrolled, 7 had a readmission during the study period. The main symptoms that led to hospitalization were pain, dyspnea and asthenia. 74.7% of patients had 7 or more symptoms of moderate to high intensity upon admission. A statistically significant improvement in many symptoms was observed at discharge. The most frequent interventions were hydration (94%) and analgesia (94%). 72% of patients and their caregivers preferred hospital care rather than home or hospice.
CONCLUSION: High burden of symptoms is the main reason for hospitalization in palliative care cancer patients. These symptoms improved with predominantly simple hospital interventions. The preferred place of care in our study patients is the hospital.
