The Determinants of Patients in a Palliative Care Unit Being Discharged Home in Japan

Abstract

In Japan, regarding the place of end-of-life care, many people preferred the home. However, there is a discrepancy between patients’ wishes and the actual circumstances. The primary aim of this study was to explore the factors that determine discharge home of patients in a palliative care unit. A total of 31 patients met the criteria. The patients who could be discharged home (group 1; n = 23) were compared with the others (group 2; n = 8). Palliative prognostic index was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (P = .032). Regarding routes of feeding, oral intake was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (P = .043). That is to say, factors determining discharge home of patients may be influenced by the patient’s prognosis and the necessity of a feeding device.