Behandlingsbegränsningar i hemsjukvård. : Förekomst och hantering

Sammanfattning: Background: Patients who are in a late palliative phase and are being cared for in home health care need good planning and follow-up of their care. In the transition from early to late phase, the responsible physician must decide on end of life decisions, this is often done during a break point call. In order for nurses in home health care to be able to act and make the right decision in the event of a deteriorating condition, documentation and planning must be available and clear. It creates good conditions for the nurses to apply a person-centered approach.Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and management of end of life decisions for patients who are at a late palliative stage, in home health care.Method: A quantitative survey study was conducted with sixteen closed and one qualitative open-ended question. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used. The qualitative question was addressed using content analysis.Results: One fifth of the nurses stated that there were always end of life decisions. Nurses who were older, had longer work experience or longer professional work in home health care had a more positive view of managing end of life decisions.Conclusion: It appeared that the nurses lacked available end of life decisions. Procedures for decisions and documentation as well as increased knowledge were requested by the nurses.Keywords: End of life decisions, home care, palliative care, nurse, person-centered nursing, quantitative questionnaire.