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Page 41
Volume 08
June 28-29, 2019 | Oslo, Norway
Joint Event
Journal of Medical and Health Sciences | ISSN : 2319-
Breast Pathology and Cancer, Gynecology and Obstetrics Pathology, Palliativecare and Gerontology 2019
Breast Pathology & Cancer
Palliativecare & Gerontology
Gynecology and Obstetrics Pathology
Katrine Staats et al., RRJMHS 2019, Volume 08
Home care nurse's experiences with medication kits as a tool in
palliative care
I
nternational studies show a majority of patients receiving palliative care wish
to remain at home until they die. Patients and their relatives affirm efficient
symptom alleviation is an important factor for living at home until death. A central
tool for ensuring quality symptom management for home-dwelling, terminally ill
patients is the medication kit recommended by the international consensus group,
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. The intent of the medication kit
is simple and effective symptom management for home-dwelling patients in the
terminal phase to be facilitated by home care services. Home care nurses assist
many advanced cancer patients desiring to live in the familiar surroundings of
their own home until the day they die. The purpose of this study is to increase
the understanding concerning home care nurse experience with the Norwegian
version of the medication kit as a tool in symptommanagement for the terminally
ill. The study had a qualitative, descriptive, and explorative design, based on
hermeneutic methodology. Two focus group interviews plus four subsequent
in-depth interviews helped generate data. The nurses reported how thorough
planning and clear instructions on medication kit usage strengthened nurse
confidence and competence, facilitating proper application. Good collaboration
with primary physicians, including accessibility and clarifying meetings in
particular, was necessary. In the past, infrequent use of the medication kit hindered
its relevance for symptom management. Home care nurses were often alone with
the responsibility for assessing the patient and administering medications, leading
to unjustifiable professional conditions, particularly during night shifts. Thus,
clear guidelines, planning and clarifying meetings with primary physicians, as well
as increasing competence in symptom alleviation in the terminal phase, helped
facilitate the use of the medication kit. A system that ensures available professional
resources around the clock was also found essential. Recruiting competent nurses
to home care services and establishing palliative teams in the municipal health
services, available 24 hours, will enhance professionally tenable practice and help
fulfill the desire of many patients who wish to die in their own homes.
Biography
Katrine Staats has obtained her MSc, and is an Oncology Nurse. She is pursuing her PhD,
Centre for Elderly and Nursing Home Medicine, Department of Global Public Health and
Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway.
katrine.staats@uib.noKatrine Staats
University of Bergen, Norway
Co-Authors
Oscar Tranvag
and
Ellen Karine Grov
University of Bergen, Norway