Cuidados paliativos: o valor da pessoa e sua história no HUPE

Abstract

The Núcleo de Cuidados Paliativos (NCP) (Nucleus of Palliative Care) began its work at the Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto in 2009, providing ongoing care to cancer patients referred from other services within the hospital. The model of care is multidisciplinary, person and family (caregiver) centered, focusing on technical excellence and humanistic approaches to control symptoms and tend to physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. In this period 903 patients were assisted. The performance of the professionals on the team - physician, psychologist, physical therapist, and music therapist - is presented according to their own perspectives and skills in daily practice. This NCP history includes assistance indicators and the role of each professional in assistance, education, and research. The NCP has enabled patients and families to live with quality of life, with dignity, comfort, and symptom control until the end. It's urgent to include palliation in the ongoing care in order to promote equitable access to quality healthcare and assistance to patients and their families in all levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary care, including emergency units and long-term care institutions. Special attention should be given to appropriate training of health professionals in palliative care and pain control to ensure good assistance, education and research. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]