Document 1006
 DOCN  M94A1006
 TI    Home care in children with HIV infection.
 DT    9412
 AU    Bernardi S; Castelli G; Mastrilli F; Scaccia S; Ferri M; Krzysztofiak A;
       Visco V; Elia L; Guzzanti E; Bambino Gesu Children Hospital, Roma,
       Italy.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(2):230 (abstract no. PB0933). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94371569
 AB    AIMS: The increasing number of infected children with HIV/AIDS, the
       chronicity of this syndrome and the longer survival due to new therapies
       have shown the need for a new model of Home Care as an alternative to
       standard care which allows adequate assistance between hospitalization
       in order to shorten their length and frequency. Home care warrants a
       cheaper and more comfortable assistance for these children with mutual
       benefit for patients and parents, with a high quality of care. This
       study aims to verify the feasibility and efficacy of treatments at home
       in pediatric AIDS patients, considering as well cost-benefit results,
       not only in money value, but even considering the patient's quality of
       life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 1993 a specific program of Pediatric Home
       care was started, involving the medical and nursing staff, social
       workers and psychologists. During a 6 months period, 4 children with
       AIDS (2M, 2F, mean age 57 months) were monitored in 7 home treatments,
       with a mean length of 12 days per patients. Three patients had i.v.
       therapies, 2 had parentheral and 1 entheral nutrition; one had
       palliative care. RESULTS: This experience, still in progress, has shown
       a good family compliance, especially for their active participation
       during the whole course. The patients' compliance was good, expecially
       considering the psychological benefits shown by all the children. They
       never had opportunistic infections during the home care. The interim
       hospitalizations that the patients had were shorter (8 days/pt) than
       before the beginning of home care (20 days/pt). CONCLUSION: It is
       possible to provide care to pediatric AIDS patients with an integrated
       model of care (Hospitalization, day-hospital and home assistance); this
       model can relieve the number and length of hospitalisations, reducing
       their costs and improve the quality of life.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*THERAPY  Child, Preschool  Female
       *Home Care Services/ECONOMICS  Human  HIV Infections/*THERAPY  Male
       Models, Nursing  Quality of Life  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).