Caring for patients with HIV disease: the experience of a generic hospice

This study describes the experience of a generic hospice admitting people with advanced HIV disease over a 4-year period. Data were collected retrospectively for all patients with HIV disease admitted. The aim of the study was to review the number of referrals, the reason for referral, subsequent symptom control and multidisciplinary team involvement together with the outcome for these patients. Twenty-six patients were admitted for the first time. Two patients were female, 24 were male; median age was 36 years (range 25-58 years). Hospitals referred more patients than general practitioners (18 (70%) and 5 (20%) respectively), but most were from non-HIV specialist areas within hospitals (11 (42%)). The commonest reason for referral was locality, particularly in terms of ease of access. The most prevalent symptoms an admission were weakness, immobility and weight loss (77%, 73% and 62% respectively). These were not improved during admission. There was significant improvement in the control of other symptoms including pain, gastrointestinal disturbance, confusion and dyspnoea. Use of the full multidisciplinary team was high. Median length of stay was 19 days (range 1-77 days). Seventeen patients (65%) died on their first admission. This study confirms the high prevalence of symptomatology among patients with HIV disease. Many generic hospices can offer skilled multidisciplinary symptom control and psychosocial care, complementing other HIV specialist services. It is important that patients with HIV disease and specialist health care professionals working in the HIV field are made aware of what generic hospices are able to offer so that patients can make informed choices about their care.