Mobile palliative care team of Oncology Institute of Ljubljana

Backgound: Palliative care is a part of the holistic treatment of a patient with advanced cancer, which enables the patient and his or her relatives to live a quality life. In Slovenia, palliative care is provided at two levels: basic and specialized palliative care. As a specialized palliative care hospital, the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana provides care for patients with the most complex problems, an outpatient clinic for early palliative care, and a counselling service, as well as telephone support and home visits for patients at home. The mobile palliative care unit, which was implemented in September 2021, is the latest activity. Methods: We analyzed the data of all patients involved in specialized palliative care throughout the year, from the beginning of the operation of the mobile palliative unit until the end of August 2022. We observed age, gender, place of permanent residence, diagnosis, and place of death, and compared groups of patients who were monitored in the context of specialized palliative care with or without the support of the mobile palliative team. Results: Between September 2021 and August 2022 1,086 patients were included in all specialized palliative care activities at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, of which 347 patients (32%) received a total of 574 home visits (an average of 1.7 visits per patient (range 1-8)). 317 (91%) patients had their permanent residence in the Central Slovenia region, while 9% were visited outside the borders. A comparison of groups of patients referred to specialized palliative care with or without the activation of a mobile palliative unit clearly shows a higher proportion of those who died at home when support was provided by home visits (80% vs 62%) of the mobile palliative team. Conclusion: The mobile palliative care unit represents an important element of the palliative care network and ensures more frequent dying in the home environment.