1. Effective Management of Breathlessness in Advanced Cancer Patients With a Program-Based, Multidisciplinary Approach: The "SOB Program" in Hong Kong.
- Author
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Chan WL, Ng CW, Lee C, Cheng P, Cheung KW, Siu WK, Yuen KK, and Leung TW
- Subjects
- Cardiovascular Agents therapeutic use, Dyspnea physiopathology, Feasibility Studies, Follow-Up Studies, Hong Kong, Humans, Neoplasms physiopathology, Retrospective Studies, Dyspnea etiology, Dyspnea therapy, Neoplasms complications, Neoplasms therapy, Palliative Care methods
- Abstract
Background: Breathlessness is common in patients with advanced cancer. Using a multidisciplinary approach for relieving this challenging symptom was believed to be just a theory. The "SOB Program" was implemented in our institution in March 2013., Measures: An audit of medical records before and after implementation of the "SOB Program" was performed to identify any changes in practice after implementation, specifically in the use of nonpharmacologic interventions., Intervention: The "SOB Program" is a multidisciplinary service in our department, using both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions for all patients with advanced cancer who have dyspnea., Outcomes: There was a marked increase in the use of nonpharmacologic interventions after the "SOB Program" (26.86% preimplementation vs. 89.35% postimplementation). Patients joining the program also had satisfactory improvement in breathlessness., Conclusions/lessons Learned: A multidisciplinary approach for breathlessness control is both feasible and practical. Similar services can be promoted in other palliative care centers., (Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2016
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