Caring for an End-of-life Cancer patient with Pressure Sores Receiving Continuing Care at Home with the Caregiver’s Participation through the Tele-nursing System: A Case Report

Authors

  • Koragot Vicheantheab Nursing Department, Chonburi Cancer Hospital
  • Laddawan Vonk Nursing Department, Chonburi Cancer Hospital
  • Chotnarin Chaiyarin Nursing Department, Chonburi Cancer Hospital

Keywords:

End-of-life, Pressure sores, Caregivers, Tele-nursing

Abstract

Pressure sores that are large and deep in the muscles among end-of-life cancer patients can cause risk of infection and death in a short time. Suffering also affects quality of life and results in higher costs because the treatment is complicated. Continuing care at home by caregivers also requires the assistance of a multidisciplinary team. This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of pressure ulcer care by a caregiver, provide guidelines for preventing infection, compare costs and the caregiver’s state of distress. A patient with end-of-life cancer with large pressure sores (the PPS level = 20%) was studied. The study was conducted between 1st September and 10th November 2023 by a multidisciplinary team, consisting of doctors, community practice nurses, and nurses specializing in nutritional therapy and wounds. The Tele-nursing system was employed. The tools included the PUSH assessment form (3.0), the temperature recording form, the wound dressing cost comparison form, the distress thermometer, the 2Q depression screening form, and the care burden assessment form. This study is results revealed that the caregiver was able to care for the patient according to standard quality. The wound healing score decreased from 14 points to 3 points. Infection was not found. It can save costs by 4.6 times compared to hospital stays. The caregiver’s distress score decreased from 9 points to 4 points on the distress thermometer. The caregiver was confident and proud of providing better care to the patient. To sum up, large pressure sores can be cared at home by caregivers, but the knowledge about wound dressings, wound healing promotion, nutrition, use of medical supplies to accelerate tissue regeneration, infection prevention and control and close supervision is required in helping caregivers to administer wound dressings effectively. 

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Published

15-09-2024

How to Cite

1.
Vicheantheab K, Vonk L, Chaiyarin C. Caring for an End-of-life Cancer patient with Pressure Sores Receiving Continuing Care at Home with the Caregiver’s Participation through the Tele-nursing System: A Case Report. J DMS [Internet]. 2024 Sep. 15 [cited 2024 Oct. 8];49(3):154-62. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JDMS/article/view/266837