Chart review of current end-of-life care needs and care practices in acute care hospitals: final report of an investigation

• Author / Creator

  Thurston, Amy J

• A total of 1,018 charts of people who died from August 1, 2008 through July 31, 2009 were reviewed to describe and examine current end-of-life care needs and care practices provided in two acute care hospitals. The mean age of those who died was 72.5, the majority of decedents were elderly (73.8%), a slight majority were male (53.0%), a slight majority were not married (53.0%), and most were urbanites (79.5%). The most common primary diagnosis was cancer (36.2%). More than half of deaths were expected (54.6%). Only 40.3% of those who had an expected death had a palliative care referral. Of all decedents, 13.8% had CPR performed, and a total of 13.9% of people died without having a DNR order. A written will was provided in 30.8% of cases. Most had technologies in use at the time of death (97.3%). Of those who died with pain, most received analgesia (98.6%).

• Subjects / Keywords

  • End-of-Life
  • Care Needs
  • Chart Review
  • Research
  • Care Practices
  • Palliative
  • Hospitals

• Graduation date

  Spring 2011

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Nursing

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R36D17

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.