[Place of death nursing home]

There are no empiric results concerning the quality of care for dying persons at nursing homes up to now. 30-40% of all Germans pass away at nursing homes. This study was carried out in 2014 and is presented now. It's aim is to describe the nursing, medical and psychosocial situation and - if necessary - to word suggestions for improvement.

A total of 2,080 questionnaires from employees of 467 nursing homes could be evaluated. By choosing the nursing homes, federal state, size and location as well as their sponsorship were considered. A proven questionnaire was slightly adapted for this usage. The questionnaire containes 11 institution-related and personal variables as well as 33 variables with regards to content.

One third of the interviewees describe a lack of time and personnel resources. Only 34% state that qualified nurses take care of the dying persons. 53% indicate that there is a cooperation with complementary care partners. 38% feel well- or very well-prepared by education, 31% feel ill-prepared for nursing dying persons. 44% attest that they have the possibility to insert influence on the situation. 75% indicate that there is a dialogue with collegues when a resident has died. In 6 of 10 nursing homes family members are allowed to stay overnight. Family members are bindingly involved in the care of the dying persons to 33%. 27% of the interviewees state that volunteers regularly assist their nursing home. 75% state that there is a successful pain- and symptom control. 30% indicate that there are no needlessly life prolonging interventions. Just as many describe life prolonging interventions as a norm. Only 35% state that the patients are generally told about their prognosis. 35% of the interviewees state that the patients generally pass away all alone, nevertheless 75% of the interviewees are sure that in their workplace it is possible to pass away in dignity. It could be shown that conditions are more problematic in big, urban and private nursing homes.

The arising recommendations have turned out little effective up to now. Hence, the author recommends that the process of caring for dying persons should be checked by an independent quality testing association. Nursing homes which dispose of good and very good care processes should be marked by a "German palliative seal".