Introduction:

The palliative care provides a necessary attention that promotes a comprehensive response and coordination of the health system respecting the autonomy and values of patients in the end-of-life situation.

Aim:

To determine the prevalence of the need for palliative care in the hemodialysis unit of our center using the validated instrument NECPAL CCOMSS-ICO and to identify the complexity situation in patients with palliative needs using IDC-Pal.

Material and Method:

Cross-sectional observational study. Three nurses trained in palliative care and in the use of the NECPAL CCOMS-ICO and IDC-Pal questionnaires independently assessed all patients in the chronic hemodialysis unit. The evaluations were carried out between the 6th and 10th of March. The discrepancies were resolved agreeing the final result among the three professionals.

Results:

50 patients were analysed, with a mean age of 68.24. The most frequent patient profile was with a permanence time in hemodialysis of 48.8 months of means. The most prevalent renal disease and comorbidity were diabetic nephropathy (26%) and hypertension (56%), respectively. 20 patients with palliative care (40%) were identified. Regarding the evaluation of the IDC-Pal, 19 patients were obtained in a situation of complexity and 1 in situation of non-complexity.

Conclusions:

Complex palliative needs suggest the need for periodic evaluations in hemodialysis units, as well as a multidisciplinary care approach to respond to identified needs.