Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

The Supportive Care Task Force at the University of L’Aquila: 2-years experience

  • Supportive Care International
  • Published:
Supportive Care in Cancer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Supportive Care Task Force (SCTF) was established within the Medical Oncology Department at the University of L’Aquila in May 2002. The missions of the SCTF were to allow systematic evaluation and treatment of symptoms, to warrant continuity of care in all phases of disease and to provide medical oncology residents with training in the treatment of symptoms. A medical oncologist, two senior residents in medical oncology and a registered nurse comprised the SCTF. A psychiatrist, two neurologists, a dietician, and two physiotherapists served as consultants or on a part-time basis. Four beds in two-bedded rooms inside the Medical Oncology Department were reserved to SCTF. A close integration with the physicians of the Medical Oncology Department was realised. The only criterion to admission was the presence of uncontrolled symptoms. Patients were evaluated and monitored with the visual analogue scale for pain and with the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS). The Palliative Prognostic Score (PaP Score) was employed to assess the prognosis. Non-clinical needs were evaluated with the Need Evaluation Questionnaire (NEQ). Protocols for the treatment of common symptoms were available in written form for consultation by physicians, residents and nurses. From 1 May 2002 to 31 May 2004, we observed 208 patients: 111 women and 97 men. The median age was 64.7 (range 28–90) years. Fifty-four patients (25.9%) were admitted more than once, for a total of 285 admissions. One hundred ninety-nine admissions (69.5%) were for supportive care while 86 admissions (30.5%) were for supportive care and active treatment. The most frequent symptoms were asthenia and anorexia. We registered excellent results regarding the treatment of pain, nausea and dyspnea while psychological symptoms, anorexia and asthenia proved more difficult to treat.

Two hundred twenty patients were discharged: 142 (49.8%) home; 76 (26.7%) to the Home Care Service and two (0.7%) to others units of the hospital. Sixty-five (22.8%) died in our unit.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bruera E, Kuehn N, Miller MJ (1991) The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). A simple method for the assessment of palliative care patients. J Palliat Care 7:6–9

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Cascinu S, Giordani P, Agostinelli R et al (2003) Pain and its treatment in hospitalized patients with metastatic cancer. Support Care Cancer 11:587–592

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cherny NI, Catane R, Kosmidis P et al (2003) ESMO takes a stand on supportive and palliative care. Ann Oncol 14:1335–1337

    Google Scholar 

  4. Chinellato A, Terrazzani G, Walley T, Giusti P (2003) Opioids in Italy: is marketing more powerful than the law? Lancet 362:78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Di Maio M, Gridelli C, Gallo C et al (2004) Prevalence and management of pain in Italian patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Br J Cancer 90:2288–2296

    Google Scholar 

  6. Maltoni M, Nanni O, Pirovano M et al (1999) Successful validation of the palliative prognostic score in terminally cancer patients. J Pain Symptom Manage 17:240–247

    Google Scholar 

  7. Mancini I, Lossignol D, Obiols M (2002) Supportive and Palliative care: the experience at the Istitute Jules Bordet. Support Care Cancer 10:3–7

    Google Scholar 

  8. Mercadante S (2002) Opioid prescription in Italy: new law, no effect. Lancet 360:1254–1255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Mercadante S, Villari P, Ferrera P (2003) A model of acute symptom control unit: pain relief and palliative care unit of La Maddalena Cancer Center. Support Care Cancer 11:114–119

    Google Scholar 

  10. Porzio G, Aielli F, Narducci F et al (2003) Knowledge and attitudes of Italian medical oncology residents toward the approach and treatment of pain. J Pain Symptom Manage 26:590–592

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Porzio G, Valenti M, Aielli F et al Pain evaluation and management: a survey of Italian radiotherapists. Support Care Cancer, in press

  12. Tamburini M, Gangeri L, Brunelli C et al (2000) Assessment of hospitalized cancer patients’ needs by the Needs Evaluation Questionnaire. Ann Oncol 11:31–37

    Google Scholar 

  13. Vainio A, Auvinen A (1996) Prevalence of symptoms among patients with advanced cancer: an international collaborative study. J Pain Symptom Manage 12:3–10

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Walsh D, Donnelly S, Rybicki L (2000) The symptoms of advanced cancer: relationship to age, gender, and performance status in 1,000 patients. Support Care Cancer 8:175–179

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giampiero Porzio.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Porzio, G., Ricevuto, E., Aielli, F. et al. The Supportive Care Task Force at the University of L’Aquila: 2-years experience. Support Care Cancer 13, 351–355 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-004-0772-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-004-0772-5

Keywords

Navigation