Abstract
Purpose: Patients receiving palliative care are often prone to infections. In countries where palliative care units (PCUs) are still developing, such as Turkey, the role of infectious disease (ID) consultations in these settings has not been clearly documented. This study aimed to assess the reasons for requesting ID consultations in PCUs, to evaluate the responses provided by ID specialists to these consultations, and to enhance awareness regarding the role of ID consultations in PCUs.Materials and Methods: This retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study included 267 patients hospitalized in the PCU of Kırşehir Training and Research Hospital between December 2023 and September 2024. We examined the reasons for ID consultations, associated diagnoses, and the treatments initiated. Statistical analyses included the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Mann–Whitney U test, and Chi-Square or Fisher’s Exact test where appropriate.Results: The most common reasons for ID consultations were elevated acute phase reactants and leukocytosis. Patients consulted due to fever, elevated acute phase reactants and leukocytosis, pulmonary infiltrates on chest X-ray, and symptoms of urinary tract infection were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with an infection (p=0.031, p=0.032, p=0.002, and p=0.007, respectively). A significant association was found between infection diagnosis and both age and type of feeding style. ID specialists most diagnosed pneumonia, with piperacillin tazobactam being the most frequently initiated antimicrobial therapy.Conclusion: ID consultations play a critical role in PCU patients. Strengthening collaboration with ID specialists in PCU may enhance infection management and overall patient care, especially in regions with developing palliative care systems.