Protocol for visits of patients' pets in palliative care in a hospital

Protocolo para la visita de mascotas de pacientes en cuidados paliativos en un hospital

ABSTRACT

Objective

To report the experience of the multidisciplinary health team in the construction and implementation of the assistance protocol for pets visiting patients admitted to a palliative care unit.

Method

This is an experience report about the construction and implementation of a protocol in a university hospital in the South of Brazil by a working group from the multidisciplinary team of the Palliative Care Program and composed of three nurses, a physician, a psychologist, a social worker, a manager, and a nutritionist. The period of construction and implementation of the protocol was from September 2017 to April 2019.

Results

The construction of the protocol by the multidisciplinary team followed three stages: planning, execution, and implementation, which enabled the release of visits of patients' pets in palliative care.

Conclusion

The construction of the protocol allowed for the institutionalization of the visit of patients' pets in palliative care in a university hospital, bringing benefits to patients and their families.

Keywords
Palliative care; Complementary therapies; Bonding human-pet; Patient care team; Protocols; Methodology