Palliative care terminology and practice in intensive care units in the Czech Republic: results of PEOpLE‑C19 study

Česká verzia

Authors: T. Prokopová ^1,2; J. Hudec ^1,2; K. Vrbica ¹; J. Stašek ¹; A. Pokorná ^3,4,5; P. Štourač ^2,6; K. Rusinová ⁷; P. Kerpnerová ⁸; R. Štěpánová ⁹; A. Svobodník ⁹; J. Maláska ^2,6,10; Ripe-Icu Skupina Výzkumná
Authors place of work: Klinika anesteziologie, resuscitace a intenzivní medicíny, Fakultní nemocnice Brno, Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy univerzity, Brno ¹; Ústav simulační medicíny, Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy univerzity, Brno ²; Ústav zdravotnických věd, Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy univerzity, Brno ³; Institut biostatistiky a analýz, Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy univerzity, Brno ⁴; České národní centrum Evidence-based Healthcare Translation, Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy univerzity, Brno ⁵; Klinika dětské anesteziologie a resuscitace, Fakultní nemocnice Brno, Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy univerzity, Brno ⁶; Klinika paliativní medicíny, 1. lékařská fakulta Karlovy univerzity a Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice v Praze, Praha ⁷; ANOVA CRO, s. r. o., Praha ⁸; Farmakologický ústav, Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy Univerzity, Brno ⁹; II. anesteziologicko‑resuscitační, oddělení, Fakultní nemocnice Brno ¹⁰
Published in the journal: Anest. intenziv. Med., 33, 2022, č. 5, s. 198-204
Category: Original Papers
doi: https://doi.org/10.36290/aim.2022.032

Summary

Study goal: Palliative care is an essential part of a complex approach to patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study aimed to describe palliative care practice in ICU in the Czech Republic.
Study type: a cross-sectional, questionnaire study
Material and methods: The inclusion criteria for study participation were nurses or physicians taking care of patients in the ICU for patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The participants could participate by filling out the electronic survey with 40 questions. The questionnaire was evaluated by descriptive statistical analysis.
Results: 313 questionnaires were analyzed. Participants reported up to 15 different terms for end-of-life care, the most often being palliative care (75.1%, n=235). The supportive care, especially sedatives, was most frequently adjusted according to the patient’s needs. On the other hand, as a standard approach, the parenteral (35.8%, n=112) and enteral (17.3%, n=54) nutrition were most often withdrawn. Regarding organ support, renal replacement therapy (69.7%, n=218) and vasopressors (60.4%,
n=189) were often withdrawn. The most rarely withdrawn organ support was artificial ventilation (24.6%, n=77), endotracheal intubation (11.5%,n=36), and tracheostomy cannula (2.9%, n=9). The majority of respondents would appreciate further education in palliative care.
Conclusion: Palliative care is an essential theme not only in the COVID-19 pandemic. The palliative care terminology and practice used in the Czech Republic are heterogeneous. There is a space for further research and education in palliative care.

Keywords:

palliative care – intensive care unit – terminology – end-of-life care

Zdroje

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