[Has the care of dying patients in hospitals changed? A study of terminal care at the Diaconal hospital in 1977 and 1987]

Title[Has the care of dying patients in hospitals changed? A study of terminal care at the Diaconal hospital in 1977 and 1987]
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1992
AuthorsSorbye L.W
JournalTidsskrift for Den Norske Laegeforening
Volume112
Issue10
Pagination1264-7
Date PublishedApr 10
ISBN Number0029-2001
Accession Number1374573
Keywords*Hospitals, Religious, *Terminal Care/px [Psychology], Aged, Attitude to Death, Female, Humans, Life Support Care/px [Psychology], Life Support Care/td [Trends], Male, Norway, Palliative Care/px [Psychology], Palliative Care/td [Trends], Terminal Care/td [Trends]
Abstract

A research project conducted at the Norwegian Lutheran Hospital in 1977 (213 deaths) was repeated in 1987 (100 deaths). The purpose was to discover if and how terminal care had changed during the ten years. Data sources were case records, nurses' reports, interviews with closest relatives about 12 weeks after the death (response 95% in 1977 and 72% in 1987). Openness about death had not increased. There was some improvement of palliative treatment. In 1987, 79% of all terminal patients had received such treatment, compared with 51% in 1977. The percentage receiving life prolonging treatment, such as parenteral supply of fluids, had fallen from 62% in 1977 to 25% in 1987, and the percentage treated with antibiotics from 31% in 1977 to 15% ten years later.

Link

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1374573

Short TitleTidsskr Nor LaegeforenTidsskr Nor Laegeforen
Alternate JournalTidsskr Nor Laegeforen
Original PublicationHar omsorgen for doende pasienter i sykehus endret seg? En studie av omsorg for doende ved Diakonhjemmets sykehus i 1977 og 1987