Development of prognostic indicators for end of life patients by integrating scientific technology and practical information

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19755
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58080:Gerontological nursing and community health nursing-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University (2022); National Defense Medical College (2019-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Takako Ishikawa 東京医科歯科大学, 大学院保健衛生学研究科, 特任准教授 (90779927)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 看取りケア / 予後予測 / 終末期 / 非がん / 特別養護老人ホーム / 電子ケアカルテ情報

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The original plan was to prospectively measure biometric information on patients that occurs 2-3 months prior to death, but in consideration of prevention of COVID-19 infection, the plan was changed to a retrospective study of information from special nursing home for older adults’ electronic care record for whom information had already been obtained and was to be implemented. In addition, interviews were conducted with nurses and caregivers working in the field to obtain additional information about the care stuff's pre-death situation.
By comparing the elements of subjective indicators obtained so far as a basis for judging the prognosis of end of life residents, information obtained at interviews, and information in electronic care records, it became clear that there are four patterns in the decrease in food intake, which is one of the indicators for predicting mid- to long-term prognosis.

Free Research Field

在宅緩和ケア

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

高齢多死社会において、医療介護現場（在宅、施設、病院）で療養する高齢者の死亡にかかわる兆候を早期に予測し対応することは、療養者や家族のQOLおよびQOD向上に繋がるだけでなく、医療介護人材にとっても自信を持った介護の継続に寄与する。