Abstract

FRIPP, Julieta Carriconde; FACCHINI, Luiz Augusto  and  SILVA, Suele Manjourany. Characterizing a home and palliative care program in the Municipality of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: a contribution to full attention to cancer patients at the National Unified Health System. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2012, vol.21, n.1, pp.69-78. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742012000100007.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the characteristics of the Interdisciplinary Homecare Program (IHCP) for cancer patients at the Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Pelotas, in the Municipality of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: the profile of the 213 patients admitted by IHCP from 2005 to 2008 was established based on informationfrom medical records; information about infrastructure and working processes were obtained through interviewing IHCP professionals. RESULTS: IHCP patients were daily attended at home, receiving supplies needed for interdisciplinary care and support, and for identifying and controlling symptoms; the stage of the disease was advanced, with metastases in 92.0% of the patients, of which 32.0% were not hospitalized during the period; main reasons for hospitalization were anorexia, pain and asthenia; half of the patients evolved to death at home. CONCLUSION: this study not only allows publicizing successful palliative care strategies on terminal cancer patients, it can also subsidize implementing public policies in other areas of the country.

Keywords : cancer; palliative care; home health care; health services.

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