Publication
Impact of Pediatric palliative care initiative at tertiary cancer care hospital of nepal
Sharma K, Panthee S · Pediatric Blood and Cancer · 2018
Background/Objectives: There are around 1400 new Pediatrics malignancies each year are estimated and around 700 are registered in Hospital based cancer registry based on B P Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital(BPKMCH). Nearly a half of diagnosed children with cancer are admitted for treatment and around 75% complete the recommended course. They usually lands to cancer hospital with advanced incurable state for comfort care towards the end of life. New initiative was taken at BPKMCH in 2015 to start palliative unit in Pediatric. We want to know the impact of Pediatric palliative care initiative in BPKMCH, frequency of admission, diagnosis, common presenting symptom and admission outcome in Pediatric palliative care from March 2015 to February 2018. Design/Methods: retrospective, single center case series of children to Pediatric palliative care unit for study duration. All record of patients', admission and discharge records was collected and analyzed for age, major admitting symptoms and outcome Results: There were 24, 18, and 36 children admitted respectively in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Children with age <5 years are 13, 6 to 12 years were 28 and 13 to 19 years were 45 among 86 patients. SarcOMAS group of tumors are 43 (50%) were commonest diagnosis. Hematological malignancies (20%) and brain tumor (10%) remain second and third commonest diagnosis among all. 46% of children present with pain 15% for wound care, 12% each for shortness of breath and supportive care, 7% each for Gastrointestinal symptoms and end of life care problems. 19% children were expired at hospice, 35% child brought back to home during end of life and 46% were discharged after making them comfortable after symptoms management. Conclusions: Pediatric palliative care initiative increased the admission. Pain is the most common symptoms for seeking admission. pain management guideline help for management. Majorities' children were discharged with better quality of life.
Synced from the TRENDS in Pediatric Palliative Care Zotero library, curated by The Siden Research Team. ICPCN does not host or verify the full text.