Study of Medical Care Provided for End-of-Life Patients at Ban Muang Hospital, Sakon Nakhon :การศึกษาการบริการทางการแพทย์แก่ผู้ป่วยระยะสุดท้ายแบบประคับประคอง โรงพยาบาลบ้านม่วง จังหวัดสกลนคร

Abstract

          This descriptive study aimed to study the situation of end-of-life patients attending the palliative care unit at Ban Muang Hospital, Sakon Nakhon province. Data from fiscal year 2016 (from October 2015 to September 2016) and fiscal year 2017 (from October 2016 to September 2017) was gathered from the hospital’s electronic record program, HosXP, and questionnaires. A total of 243 patients were attended at the palliative unit. The number of patients increased from 113 in fiscal year 2016 to 130 in fiscal year 2017. The majority of them were diagnosed as cancer (65.84%). The three most common physical health problems found in the patients were pain, dyspnea, and weakness. The three most common psychological problems were anxiety, depression and fear. The main caregivers were their children, spouses and other relatives, respectively. The average satisfaction score of relatives for the service of palliative care unit was high (2.96 (SD=0.21) and 2.97(SD=0.17) in fiscal year 2016 and 2017, respectively).

          Keywords : End of life patients, Palliative care