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01-05-2018 | Review Article

Antimicrobial therapy in palliative care: an overview

Authors: Filipa Macedo, Catarina Nunes, Katia Ladeira, Filipa Pinho, Nadine Saraiva, Nuno Bonito, Luísa Pinto, Francisco Gonçalves

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 5/2018

Abstract

In the advanced stages of illness, patients often face challenging decisions regarding their treatment and overall medical care. Terminal ill patients are commonly affected by infections. However, in palliative care, the use of antimicrobials can be an ethical dilemma. Deciding whether to treat, withhold, or withdraw the antimicrobial treatment for an infection can be difficult. Antimicrobial administration can lead to adverse outcomes but the two main benefits, longer survival and symptom relief, are the main reasons why physicians prescribe antimicrobial when treating terminally ill patients. For the patient who has an irreversible advanced heart or lung disease, or an advanced dementia, or a metastatic cancer, it is easier the decision of withholding mechanical ventilation, tube feeding, and dialysis than antibiotherapy. To characterize infections, agents, and their treatments in palliative care, we conducted a review of the literature. We also included some tips to help health professionals to guide their clinical approach.

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Title: Antimicrobial therapy in palliative care: an overview
Authors: Filipa Macedo
Catarina Nunes
Katia Ladeira
Filipa Pinho
Nadine Saraiva
Nuno Bonito
Luísa Pinto
Francisco Gonçalves
Publication date: 01-05-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 5/2018
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4090-8

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