Cancer pain control by infusion techniques in the home situation in the Northern Netherlands: an innovative project on the use of medical technology in the home situation.

Since 1982, 229 terminally ill cancer pain patients were treated by the administration of epidural opioids. An adequate level of aid was provided by the coordinated efforts of the patients' general practitioner, the district nurse, and the anesthesiologist. Based on 9 yr of experience with this model, a project on quality improvement and organization of cancer pain control by infusion techniques in the home situation was proposed. The purpose of the study is to create a nationwide organization for cancer pain control for terminal patients on a home-care basis. Specially trained ambulatory field teams will be set up to collect and process the information necessary to make protocols and instructions.