HOSPICE

HOSPICE - NEED OF THE HOUR

“Care Beyond Cure”

Col S Kapoor VSM, Senior Advisor & Prof,Surgical Oncology,
Command Hospital (CC) Lucknow

A large number of patients suffering from cancer reach a stage when they are either unfit to continue any further definitive treatment or beyond the scope of it. These patients do not need active hospital care but do require supportive, symptomatic and palliative care till they succumb to their disease. This may not be possible at home and hence they need a Hospice for the same
A significant number of patients suffering from cancer reach a finality of treatment, after which they do not need active indoor hospital care or definitive treatment. These patients may survive from few days to few months during which time they need supportive and symptomatic care in form of pain relief, dressing, care of tubes and stomas, nutritional supplements and emotional support
Hospice care is a philosophy of caring for the terminally ill patients, and providing guidance and support to their families and loved ones. It provides palliative care and quality of life for whatever time remains, is the primary focus. This care concentrates on managing pain, controlling symptoms and providing emotional and spiritual guidance
Patients needing Hospice care are those who are unfit to continue further definitive treatment or
beyond the scope of it

These patients do not need active hospital care, but require supportive, symptomatic and palliative care which may not be feasible at home due to lack of financial, material and human resources

Keeping such patients in the Hospital has the following problems

Increases bed occupancy augmenting the already existing bed availability crunch
Adds extra load on the manpower and resources of the hospital
Terminally ill patients and their death is demoralizing for the other patients

Hospice provides
Pain relief
Nutritional supplementation
IV fluids and oxygen
Care of stomas and tubes
Dressings
Emotional and spiritual support to patient and relatives
Training to the relatives to provide terminal care at hospice and at home

Few Hospices in India are

Shanti Avedna At Mumbai and Delhi
Cipla Cancer Care Centre at Pune
Aastha at Lucknow

Hospice provides the terminally ill patients, a dignified and comfortable supportive care and a respectable end, without burdening hospitals, and is hence the need of the hour to provide care beyond cure