Use of peripherally inserted central venous catheters and midline catheters for palliative care in patients with cancer: a systematic review.

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and midline catheters (MCs) may offer convenient intravenous access, but evidence to support their place in palliative care is limited. This review aimed to assess catheter indications, utilization, complications, dwell time, and patient experiences in cancer patients receiving palliative care.

Methods: A systematic search for studies on catheter utilization for supportive or symptom treatment was conducted in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane, and CENTRAL databases.

"It turned out right for both of us": A qualitative study about a preference for home death and actual place of death.

This qualitative study was conducted in Norway to explore couples' preference for home death when one of the partners was dying from cancer, and what made home death possible or not. We conducted dyad interviews with five couples. After the patients' death, the spouses participated in individual interviews.

How should respiratory depression and loss of airway patency be handled during initiation of palliative sedation?

Background: Loss of airway patency has been reported during initiation of palliative sedation. In present guidelines the loss of airway patency during initiation of palliative sedation is not addressed. Airway patency can be restored by jaw thrust/chin lift or placing the patient in the recovery position.

Prevalence of Triggers and Patient Harm Identified by Global Trigger Tool in Specialized Palliative Care.

Global trigger tool (GTT) was developed for identification of patient harm. In palliative patients deterioration can be expected, and there are no data on whether cases classified as "patient harm" actually represents a potential for improved patient safety. The primary aim was to test the performance and suitability of GTT in palliative care patients.

Use and safety of peripherally inserted central catheters and midline catheters in palliative care cancer patients: a retrospective review.

Purpose: Some cancer patients in palliative care require intravenous administration of symptom relieving drugs. Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and midline catheters (MCs) provide easy and accessible intravenous access. However, limited evidence supports the use of these devices in palliative care.