What is the profile of palliative care in Germany.: Results of a representative survey

Since 1996 a working group of palliative care physicians has been developing a core documentation for palliative facilities. The data on a total of 1304 patients were collected in 2001. Treatment in palliative care units was provided for 531 patients until their death (Pat-V), 604 patients could be discharged home, and 169 patients were transferred to other facilities (Pat-E). Infusion therapy, physical therapy, positioning and mobilization, together with counseling and social services were initiated in more than 30% of the patients, while specific measures such as ascites or pleura puncture were instituted in less than 10%. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, urinary catheter, physical therapy, mobilization, positioning, psychotherapy, and social services were documented more frequently in the Pat-E group than in the Pat-V group. Chemotherapy was started in only 35 patients and radiotherapy in only 31 patients while they were in the palliative care unit. Parenteral nutrition, infusion therapy, wound management, and counseling were documented more frequently in the Pat-V group. Advanced directives were available for 9,9% of the patients omission or discontinuation of therapies was documented for 28,1%. Specific indications for the quality of palliative care provided could not be identified with the documentation instruments applied. The core documentation does however furnish data from a representative sample of in-patient palliative care in Germany, which can be used as a comparative data pool for other studies and quality assurance measures.