Why does regular relief care end?
In a retrospective survey, patients whose regular hospital relief care came to an end were found to be similar to those in whom it continued in their medical and social features, and in the frequency of admissions, although their rota care did not last so long. The most frequent factors in ending rota care were acute illness leading to death, increased disability, and refusal by carers, the last two of which were often associated. Alternative care, refusal by patients and illness of carers affected smaller numbers. Patients whose rota care ended had a high mortality (56%) and seldom needed long-stay care, though only a minority of deaths (4/28) occurred during or shortly after a relief admission.
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