Pre-Assessment Criteria for the Needs of Patients in Palliative Care: The Role of Palliative Care by Age Groups

Introduction: We aimed to define the characteristics of patients hospitalised in a palliative care unit and evaluate the role of palliative care services in the geriatric age group. The priorities and treatment approaches needed according to age groups were also evaluated. Materials and Methods: The records of patients aged 18 years and older who followed up with palliative care between 01/2020-12/2021 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients aged 18-64 were defined as “group-1”, patients aged 65-75 as “group-2”, patients aged 76-90 as “group-3”, and patients aged 91 and over as “group-4”. The patient’s age, sex, diagnosis, comorbidities, length of stay in the clinic, prognosis, pressure ulcers and immobilisation status were recorded and compared according to age groups. Results: A total of 560 patients were included. The mean age was 73.14±14.22 years, and 53.2% were women. 48.2% of patients were transferred to the palliative care unit from the intensive care unit. Groups-1, 2, 3, and 4 consisted of 139 (24.8%), 129 (23%), 254 (45.4%), and 38 (6.8%) patients, respectively. When patients were examined according to age group, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of sex, pressure ulcers, immobilisation, mean hospital stay in the palliative care, and prognosis (p=0.026, p≤.001, p=0.006, p≤.001, p≤.001). While 72% of patients were discharged from the palliative care unit, 28% died during admission. The prognosis was better in group-1 compared to other groups. Conclusion: Geriatric age and presence of chronic disease were the primary groups receiving palliative care. Access and integration of these patients to palliative care must be expanded. Keywords: Palliative Care; Geriatrics; Critical Care; Chronic Diseases; Health Services Accessibility.