Nursing care for patients with advanced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Section: Originals
How to quote
Sanz Peces EM. Atención enfermera a pacientes con fibrosis pulmonar idiopática en fase avanzada. Metas Enferm jun 2016; 19(5): 6-10.
Authors
Eva María Sanz Peces
Position
Enfermera. Equipo de Soporte y Atención Paliativa Domiciliaria. Dirección Asistencial Norte. Madrid
Contact address
Eva María Sanz Peces. Centro de Salud Reyes Católicos. Avda. de España, 20. 28701 San Sebastián de los Reyes (Madrid).
Contact email: sanz@salud.madrid.org
Abstract
Objectives: to describe the characteristics of patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) in advanced stage, and to analyze the main Nursing diagnoses based on the experience of a Team for Palliative Care at Home (TPCH).
Method: a transversal descriptive study on IPF patients managed by a TPCH in Madrid, from 2011 to 2015. The following were analyzed: age, gender, performance status (Barthel Index and the Palliative Performance Scale), number of drugs, oxygen therapy, social aspects, follow-up days, number of visits, and place of death. The Nursing diagnoses were analyzed according to the NANDA taxonomy.
Results: in total, 1,920 patients were assessed; 18 of them (0.93%) were included because they presented IPF. Their mean age was 75.5 years; 55.6% were male. Their Barthel Index score was 50, and their Palliative Performance Scale score was 50. They took a mean number of 10 drugs, and they all used opioids for their dyspnea. A 94.4% of these patients were using high flow oxygen therapy. The main caregivers were patients’ children, in 55.5% of cases. The following Nursing diagnoses were present in all patients: “Inefficient respiratory pattern”, “Risk of infection”, and “Self-care deficit: bathing”. The median of follow-up days was 31; 55.6% of patients were referred in their last month of life. When the study was completed, all patients had died, and their home was the preferred place for exitus (61.1%).
Conclusions: patients with advanced IFP present dyspnea, moderate functional deterioration, and they require help for self-care. There was a late referral to TPCH. More than half of patients died at home.
Keywords:
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; palliative care; end-of-life care; Home Care; nursing diagnoses
Versión en Español
Título:
Atención enfermera a pacientes con fibrosis pulmonar idiopática en fase avanzada