Comparative description of Interventions by the Bragança Hospital Palliative Care Team in 2014 and 2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24950/rspmi.2775Keywords:
Palliative Care, Patient Care Team, Terminal CareAbstract
Introduction: Palliative care (PC) plays a key role in improving the quality of life of patients with serious or life-limiting illnesses. Within hospital settings, inpatient palliative care support teams (IPCST) are essential for identifying complex palliative needs and facilitating coordinated care between services. This study aimed to characterize and compare the activity of the IPCST at Bragança Hospital Unit (Bragança HU) in the years 2014 and 2024.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using the IPCST’s clinical records. All patients referred in 2014 and 2024 were included, with the exception of those who died prior to assessment by the team. Demographic and clinical variables (age, gender, diagnosis), referring specialties, time intervals related to key care milestones (referral, assessment, transfer to the Palliative Care Unit [PCU], and death), as well as discharge outcomes, were analysed. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were applied.
Results: An increase in IPCST activity was observed, with referral requests rising from 103 to 186 and assessments from 156 to 353. Diagnostic profiles became more diverse, with an increase in non-malignant conditions in 2024. Internal Medicine remained the main referring specialty. Although referrals occurred later in the course of hospitalisation in 2024, notable operational improvements were identified: the median time to transfer to the PCU decreased from 6.5 to 3 days. Enhanced coordination with community services was also evident, reflected in the rise in discharges supported by the Palliative Care Community Team (from 2% to 14%) and the proportional reduction in in-hospital mortality (from 41% to 31%).
Conclusion: Between 2014 and 2024, the IPCST at Bragança HU demonstrated substantial growth, improved integration within hospital care pathways, and strengthened continuity of care. These findings reinforce the importance of IPCST ‘s within hospital settings and highlight the need for further investigation into factors influencing referral timing and the impact of earlier palliative care interventions.
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