UNLABELLED: In Colombia, most palliative care is provided in acute care hospitals. In those settings, a palliative care approach could be limited because of a disease-oriented approach instead of patient-centered care. PURPOSE: To know the framework of a typical Colombian university hospital that provides palliative care services. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a retrospective manner, the medical records of deceased patients during 2006 were revisited. RESULTS: Most patients were not treated by palliative care specialists, so curative-oriented treatment were common among these patients. CONCLUSION: In acute hospitals, palliative care teams should participate in the care of patients at the start of treatment.
UNLABELLED: In Colombia, most palliative care is provided in acute care hospitals. In those settings, a palliative care approach could be limited because of a disease-oriented approach instead of patient-centered care. PURPOSE: To know the framework of a typical Colombian university hospital that provides palliative care services. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a retrospective manner, the medical records of deceased patients during 2006 were revisited. RESULTS: Most patients were not treated by palliative care specialists, so curative-oriented treatment were common among these patients. CONCLUSION: In acute hospitals, palliative care teams should participate in the care of patients at the start of treatment.