Bansal VV, Kim D, Reddy B, Witmer HDD, Dhiman A, Godley FA, Ong CT, Clark S, Ulrich L, Polite B, Shergill A, Malec M, Eng OS, Tun S, Turaga KK. Early Integrated Palliative Care Within a Surgical Oncology Clinic.
JAMA Netw Open 2023;
6:e2341928. [PMID:
37934497 PMCID:
PMC10630898 DOI:
10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.41928]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance
Advance directive (AD) designation is an important component of advance care planning (ACP) that helps align care with patient goals. However, it is underutilized in high-risk surgical patients with cancer, and multiple barriers contribute to the low AD designation rates in this population.
Objective
To assess the association of early palliative care integration with changes in AD designation among patients with cancer who underwent surgery.
Design, Setting, and Participants
This cohort study was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained registry of adult patients who underwent elective surgery for advanced abdominal and soft tissue malignant tumors at a surgical oncology clinic in a comprehensive cancer center with expertise in regional therapeutics between June 2016 and May 2022, with a median (IQR) postoperative follow-up duration of 27 (15-43) months. Data analysis was conducted from December 2022 to April 2023.
Exposure
Integration of ACP recommendations and early palliative care consultations into the surgical workflow in 2020 using electronic health records (EHR), preoperative checklists, and resident education.
Main Outcomes and Measures
The primary outcomes were AD designation and documentation. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess factors associated with AD designation and documentation.
Results
Among the 326 patients (median [IQR] age 59 [51-67] years; 189 female patients [58.0%]; 243 non-Hispanic White patients [77.9%]) who underwent surgery, 254 patients (77.9%) designated ADs. The designation rate increased from 72.0% (131 of 182 patients) before workflow integration to 85.4% (123 of 144 patients) after workflow integration in 2020 (P = .004). The AD documentation rate did not increase significantly after workflow integration in 2020 (48.9% [89 of 182] ADs documented vs 56.3% [81 of 144] ADs documented; P = .19). AD designation was associated with palliative care consultation (odds ratio [OR], 41.48; 95% CI, 9.59-179.43; P < .001), palliative-intent treatment (OR, 5.12; 95% CI, 1.32-19.89; P = .02), highest age quartile (OR, 3.79; 95% CI, 1.32-10.89; P = .01), and workflow integration (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.01-4.18; P = .048). Patients who self-identified as a race or ethnicity other than non-Hispanic White were less likely to have designated ADs (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.17-0.76; P = .008). AD documentation was associated with palliative care consulation (OR, 4.17; 95% CI, 2.57- 6.77; P < .001) and the highest age quartile (OR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.21-4.79; P = .01).
Conclusions and Relevance
An integrated ACP initiative was associated with increased AD designation rates among patients with advanced cancer who underwent surgery. These findings demonstrate the feasibility and importance of modifying clinical pathways, integrating EHR-based interventions, and cohabiting palliative care physicians in the surgical workflow for patients with advanced care.
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