PALLIATIVE CARE IN A HOSPITAL: AN EXPERIENCE REPORT

doi.org/10.29327/217514.7.1-11

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We are facing an intense struggle to cure intractable chronic-degenerative diseases, which has led to a culture of denial of death, which is seen as defeat or failure by health professionals. Therefore, palliative care emerged as a way to change the definition of “death” created centuries ago, as a way to innovate healthcare assistance, gaining more and more space in Brazil. This type of care was defined in 2002 by the World Health Organization (WHO), addressing the promotion of the quality of life of patients and their families, through the early assessment and control of unpleasant physical, social, emotional, spiritual symptoms, in a context diseases that threaten the continuity of life. There are more than 7,000 palliative care services in more than 90 countries worldwide, with only 40 specialized services in this area in Brazil. There is no specific place to schedule palliative care, the indicated place is where the patient is, where he needs care. And a large number of patients and family members choose to “die” in hospitals, where palliative care must be performed. Thus, the objective of this study is to demonstrate the importance of scheduling palliative care in a hospital environment that receives patients with multiple comorbidities, especially chronic-degenerative comorbidities with limitations in what governs the cure, as a way to guarantee a better quality of life. patients and their families.