[Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for palliative care : Presence and relevance of palliative SOPs within the network of German Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs) funded by the German Cancer Aid].

BACKGROUND

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) can contribute to the improvement of patient care.

OBJECTIVES

Survey the presence and relevance of SOPs for palliative care (PC) within the network of German Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs) funded by the German Cancer Aid.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

In a descriptive survey, palliative care services within 15 CCCs funded by the German Cancer Aid were asked to rate availability and thematic relevance of (1) symptom-related, (2) clinical pathways and (3) measures- and processes-oriented SOPs using a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

Pain management SOPs were the most common (n =11; 73 %). The most thematic relevance showed SOPs dedicated to pain management, care in the last days of life and delirium and other neuro-psychiatric diseases (each n =13; 87 %), followed by bowel obstruction, dyspnoea, nausea and palliative sedation (each n =12; 80 %).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a wide gap between availability and perceived relevance of palliative care SOPs within the network of German CCCs funded by the German Cancer Aid. It is obvious that there is a need for further development of relevant SOPs in palliative care.