Evaluation of a new hospice: the relief of symptoms in cancer patients in the first year:

The relief of three common symptoms, pain, nausea and vomiting is described in cancer patients admitted to St John's Hospice, Lancaster in its first year. Of 256 evaluable admissions, 132 (53%) were in pain whilst 214 (84%) were taking analgesics of whom 112 (52%) were taking opiates. At discharge or death, the values were 19 (7.5%), 182 (71 %) and 169 (91 %) respectively. Nausea, vomiting or both were present in 76 (30%) patients on admission whilst 77 (30%) were taking antiemetics. At discharge or death the values were 23 (9%) and 80 (31 %) respectively. These findings indicate the extent to which the new hospice has contributed to the relief of symptoms in patients with advanced cancer.