[Evaluation of units for short-term terminal care in nursing homes]

The Units for short-term terminal care in 10 nursing homes were evaluated in terms of (a) meeting minimum care requirements for organisation, personnel and expertise and (b) changes in outcomes in patients. Interview with staff members show that 69% of the care requirements were met. Requirements for expertise development were better met (77%), and requirements for personnel and team were met less well (58%). The studies on patient outcomes show that the patients' functional status decreased as death approached, but symptoms did not decrease with similar rates. In addition, quality of life remained stable. We conclude that the minimum care requirements should be revised, taken into account the way the requirements are used in daily practise. The data seem to point at good quality of care. We advise a repetition of the last evaluation in 2003.