Palliative care in Prague: Rescuers will go to patients in the final stage of the disease
The Prague ambulance set up a special team in the metropolis to provide in the event of complications acute care for people in the final stage of an incurable disease directly at the place of residence. So that they do not have to undergo the stress that is associated with transport to a medical facility. The team wants to improve the quality of life of patients at the end of their life journey.
“Eighty percent of people want to spend the last moments of their lives at home with their loved ones, but only twenty percent will be fulfilled.” says Milena Johnová (Prague to herself), Councilor of the City of Prague for Social Policy and Health Care. The free service is expected to cost the city 5.3 to 6 million a year. So far, the service only works during the day and three to four trips per shift are expected.
Functioning in practice
A person in difficulty calls the number 155. The operator at the other end of the line identifies the patient as “palliatively relevant” using three targeted areas of questions. “If necessary, our team will come out, which has a guarantee that it will have more time for the patient compared to the outpatient emergency service doctor. In addition, you will learn from the team of trained experts who know how to proceed so that the patient can stay in the comfort of home for as long as possible, “Bleska was told by the director of the Medical Rescue Service. of Prague Petr Kolouch.
The team will also determine the appropriate medicine on site, provide the patient and relatives with the necessary information and provide follow-up care with some of the hospice care providers. They will then provide patients with a bed in their facilities if necessary, or they will come home for the patients. “Within life, care is mainly about treating pain, reducing suffering from shortness of breath and fluid intake. After the team leaves, leave the instructions in place on how to proceed, “adds Petr Kolouch.
From plans to implementation
Preparation for such a project took two years. Within seven weeks of the pilot verification, emergency responders on the emergency line assessed that 69 patients needed palliative care. After examination and treatment, 31 people were taken to hospital, 32 of them were left at home in the care of an informed family and six died at home already in the provision of pre-hospital emergency care.
To the hospital as gently as possible
If help at home is not enough, a team of paramedics transports the patient to a specialized workplace so that the journey is as short as possible and no stressful. Such places are cooperating hospitals with a palliative team. On the spot, the person will be provided with care directly at the palliative department.
Maxmilián Šperling on the approach to old age and the advice of other seniors. Daniel Vitous
New mobile palitative care will help people to leave comfortably
Author: Jan Dařílek