Korean J Hosp Palliat Care.  2018 Sep;21(3):84-91. 10.14475/kjhpc.2018.21.3.84.

Treatment of Patients with Cancer in a Secondary Hospital in Korea

• Son MK

• KMID: 2435594
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14475/kjhpc.2018.21.3.84

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aims to investigate treatment of cancer patients at a secondary hospital.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was performed with electronic medical records of cancer patients admitted to a secondary hospital from January 1, 2009 through September 31, 2017.
RESULTS
A total of 223 patients were studied. Sixty-nine patients were hospitalized for supportive care after receiving a surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy at a tertiary hospital, 58 patients for other supportive care, 53 patients for symptom control, 16 patients with a decision not to take active cancer treatment, and 27 patients for treatment of cancer that was diagnosed during their hospital stay. Among 75 patients who were discharged to other institutions, 50 were transferred to tertiary hospitals, 10 to long-term care hospitals, eight to hospice hospitals, four to nursing homes and two to secondary hospitals. Comorbidities were found in 120 patients (53.8%). For patients who consulted with more than one department, more consultations were for non-cancer diseases than cancer. Seventy-three patients had a do-not-resuscitate order.
CONCLUSION
For treatment of cancer patients, it is needed to establish a cooperation system among medical institutions and provide comprehensive management including treatment of comorbidities.

Keyword

Neoplasms; Secondary care centers; Tertiary care centers; Palliative care; Resuscitation orders

MeSH Terms

Comorbidity
Drug Therapy
Electronic Health Records
Hospices
Humans
Korea*
Length of Stay
Long-Term Care
Nursing Homes
Palliative Care
Radiotherapy
Referral and Consultation
Resuscitation Orders
Retrospective Studies
Secondary Care Centers
Tertiary Care Centers