[Hospital admissions into paediatric palliative care: A retrospective study]

Abstract

Introduction: Patients may be admitted to hospital by paediatric palliative care units (PPCU) for different reasons, due to their different needs and clinical problems. The objective of this study is to present the data of patients admitted to the PPCU of the Autonomous Community of Madrid.

Methods: Descriptive retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the clinical records of the PPCU between January 2011 and December 2016.

Results: Of 499 patients attended in this period, 166 (33%) were admitted to hospital at some point, generating a total of 314 episodes. Respiratory problems (34%) were the main cause of admission. Gastrostomy intervention (23 patients) was the commonest reason for a surgical admission. In this period, 46 patients died during hospitalisation. The highest frequencies of death, according to the admission cause, were respiratory problems (18 out 46) and end-of-life care (11 out 46). More than half (59%) of admissions lasted less than 7 days and 88% were 15 days or less.

Conclusions: The causes and characteristics of the hospital admissions at a PPCU are heterogeneous, with respiratory problems being the most common cause of admission. The duration of the hospitalisation appears to be similar to that described for acute palliative care units. The creation of a specific PPCU that can refer their patients for hospital admission might help to improve continuity of care.

Keywords: Cuidados paliativos; Cuidados paliativos al final de la vida; Hospice care; Hospitales pediátricos; Hospitalisation; Hospitalización; Paediatric hospitals; Palliative care.