HAALBAARHEID VAN OVERBRENGING VAN MEDISCH-TECHNISCHE HULP NAAR DE THUISSITUATIE VOOR PATIENTEN MET KANKER OF EEN ERNSTIGE INFECTIE

Objective. To describe the feasibility of home care technology for patients with cancer or serious infectious diseases. Setting. Utrecht. Methods. One hundred and thirty one patients with cancer or serious infections were treated at home with parenteral administration of fluid, cytostatics, analgetics, blood products or antimicrobial agents. A 24-hour service team was available to support patients, their families and professional care-givers. The team is responsible for the education the development of protocols and logistic co-ordination such as the supply of materials in the home setting. Results. During a period of about 10.000 days (median 41 days per patient) the supportive team was consulted 127 times. In five cases hospitalization was necessary, no patient died of a complication. Instruction was given to 74 general practitioners; 32 of them were able to handle medical technology on their own. Time consumption due to incidents was 0.8 minute per day and 57 minutes per patient. Conclusion. Under certain conditions, notably a supporting team, home care technology is feasible.