For Health Professionals
The Health Professionals section is changing. We will review changing practices and attitudes in Palliative Care, New Projects, and Information.
Self-Learning Package from CPCRE
PCA Study into Syringe Drivers (REPORT ON SUBCUTANEOUS INFUSION DEVICES)
For Clinicians and GPs
Websites for GPs and Clinicians
In Queensland, Palliative Care is usually performed by generalist medical or nursing practitioners working in the community. In unusual situations, it can be necessary for these clinicians to draw upon the help of a Palliative Care specialist for advice on the management of problems such as:
Atypical pain- Terminal restlessness
- Breathlessness
- Atypical nausea or vomiting
- Constipation
- Malignant wound care etc
Pcis can connect both doctors and nurses to a specialist physician or nurse, by calling 1800 772 273 during business hours. A Pcis operator may initially ask some basic clinical information before transferring the call to a medical or nursing specialist in a Palliative Care Unit.
This service is free of charge, and is available to all Queensland doctors and nurses.
Case Study 1 - Bob the GP
Bob is a GP on the Gold Coast Hinterland who had a 25 year old patient (Kelly) with advanced breast cancer. Kelly was on high doses of oral morphine for bone pain, however Bob had become concerned that as a result of the morphine, Kelly had become significantly hypotensive. Bob called PCIS to access the specialist linkage service, and the call was transferred to a Palliative Care consultant at a tertiary hospital. The consultant discussed the clinical management of the hypotension with Bob, but was also able to suggest the use of an adjuvent analgesic to control the bone pain. Kelly’s pain decreased dramatically with the use of the adjuvent analgesia and Bob will be able to incorporate this information gained into the management of future patients.
Case Study 2 - Practice Nurse Liz
Liz is the practice nurse for a busy medical practice in a small town four hours west of Mackay. Her elderly patient had been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, and had subsequently developed a melodourous fungating lesion on her chest wall that required twice daily visits to the practice for dressings. Liz was concerned that her dry dressings were inappropriate, and wanted advice on both odour and discharge management. Liz called PCIS and asked to be connected to a specialist Palliative Care nurse. The CNC suggested that Liz speak with the patient’s GP about obtaining a swab of the wound, further suggesting the use of a metronidazole gel if the swab demonstrated the presence of anaerobes. The CNC advised the use of either a large combine and fixomull to cover the wound or if there was a large volume of exudate, a colostomy bag. Either of these affordable options provided Liz with an opportunity to help her patient achieve better quality of life.