Current state and prospects for nursing care in the palliative care system

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The demographic trends of the 21st century increase the need for long-term care and challenge the volume and quality of palliative and nursing care. Nursing homes and units are created to increase the availability of palliative care (PC) to patients in need of 24-h nursing care who do not have medical indications for permanent medical supervision. The availability of PC and effectiveness in nursing care beds require further analysis. AIM: This study aimed to examine the current PC state in nursing care beds and determine the need for further development of this area for patients requiring PC in the Russian Federation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data analysis of PC provision in automated medical statistics monitoring system (asmms.mednet.ru) was conducted using descriptive statistics. The sociological method was used to determine the conditions/diseases of patients requiring PC and nursing care. RESULTS: Patients beyond the working age need PC in nursing care beds. The structural subdivisions of medical organizations and facilities that provide PC in nursing care beds are unevenly distributed throughout the Russian Federation. The availability of nursing care beds and the average bed-days differ among constituent entities of the Russian Federation. CONCLUSIONS: A positive increase in PC beds has been observed since 2012. For Q1 2021, the average bed-days in a nursing care bed and PC bed were 28.2 and 22.3, respectively. For adult patients receiving PC in inpatient settings, individuals beyond the working age with reduced functional activity, insufficient independent care, and in need of 24-h nursing supervision and care prevailed.