EVALUATION OF PATIENTS FOLLOWED IN A PALLIATIVE CARE UNIT IN TURKEY

Introduction: The need for palliative care services is increasing day by day, but we think that these services are not sufficiently recognized by the society and health professionals. In this study, by presenting sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients hospitalized in the palliative care unit together, we seek to raise awareness of palliative care services, which are still developing in Turkey. Materials and Method: In this descriptive and retrospective study, 316 patients hospitalized in Palliative Care Unit of Harran University Research and Practice Hospital between April 2017- February 2019 were included. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical data of the patients were evaluated. Falling risk is evaluated according to the Itaki Fall Risk Scale, Pressure Ulcers according to the guidelines published jointly by the National and European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panels. The data were analyzed using frequency and percentage tests. Results: Of 316 patients, 54.43%(n=172) were female, 45.57%(n=144) male; mean age was 66.23 +/- 19.66 years (18-111). The most common reason for hospitalization was cerebrovascular disease with a rate of 22.15%(n=70), then respectively malignancy was at 20.89%(n=66), cardiovascular disease at 15.19%(n=48), asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Alzheimer's disease at 5.70%(n=18). Comorbidity was found at 88.61%(n=280) and majority of the patients (67.72%) were fed orally. The rate of patients with tracheostomy was 3.80%(n=12) and pressure ulcer at 23.70%(n=75). Conclusion: Symptoms, pressure ulcers and nutritional support treatments in patients hospitalized in palliative care unit were presented with sociodemographic data. We believe that this study can help contribute to the awareness of palliative care and service scope, which is still developing in Turkey and around the world.