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Prachanukool T, George N, Bowman J, Ito K, Ouchi K. Best Practices in End of Life and Palliative Care in the Emergency Department. Clin Geriatr Med 2023; 39:575-597. [PMID: 37798066 PMCID: PMC11300921 DOI: 10.1016/j.cger.2023.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Three-quarters of patients over the age of 65 visit the emergency department (ED) in the last six months of their lives. Approximately 20% of hospice residents have ED visits. These patients must decide whether to receive emergency care that prioritizes life support, which may not achieve their desired outcomes and might even be futile. The patients in these end-of-life stages could benefit from early palliative care or hospice consultation before they present to the ED. Furthermore, early integration of palliative care at the time of ED visits is important in establishing the goals of the entire treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thidathit Prachanukool
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, 270 Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand; Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Neville House, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Naomi George
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 700 Camino de Salud, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Jason Bowman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Neville House, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Medicine, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 75 Francis Street, Neville House, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kaori Ito
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Acute Care Surgery, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1, Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8606, Japan
| | - Kei Ouchi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Neville House, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Medicine, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 75 Francis Street, Neville House, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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2
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Serra S, Spampinato MD, Riccardi A, Guarino M, Fabbri A, Orsi L, De Iaco F. Pain Management at the End of Life in the Emergency Department: A Narrative Review of the Literature and a Practical Clinical Approach. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4357. [PMID: 37445392 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12134357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Access to pain management is a fundamental human right for all people, including those who are at the end of life (EOL). In end-stage patients, severe and uncontrolled pain is a common cause of admission to the emergency department (ED), and its treatment is challenging due to its complex, often multifactorial genesis. The aim of this narrative review was to identify the available literature on the management of severe EOL pain in the ED. The MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases were searched from inception to 1 April 2023 including randomised controlled trials, observational studies, systemic or narrative reviews, case reports, and guidelines on the management of EOL pain in the ED. A total of 532 articles were identified, and 9 articles were included (5 narrative reviews, 2 retrospective studies, and 2 prospective studies). Included studies were heterogeneous on the scales used and recommended for pain assessment and the recommended treatments. No study provided evidence for a better approach for EOL patients with pain in the ED. We provide a narrative summary of the findings and a review of the management of EOL pain in clinical practice, including (i) the identification of the EOL patients and unmet palliative care needs, (ii) a multidimensional, patient-centred assessment of the type and severity of pain, (iii) a multidisciplinary approach to the management of end-of-life pain, including an overview of non-pharmacological and pharmacological techniques; and (iv) the management of special situations, including rapid acute deterioration of chronic pain, breakthrough pain, and sedative palliation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sossio Serra
- Emergency Department, Maurizio Bufalini Hospital, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | | | | | - Mario Guarino
- UOC MEU Ospedale CTO-AORN dei Colli Napoli, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Andrea Fabbri
- Emergency Department, AUSL Romagna, Presidio Ospedaliero Morgagni-Pierantoni, 47121 Forlì, Italy
| | - Luciano Orsi
- Palliative Care Physician and Scientific Director of "Rivista Italiane di Cure Palliative", 26013 Crema, Italy
| | - Fabio De Iaco
- Struttura Complessa di Medicina di Emergenza Urgenza Ospedale Maria Vittoria, ASL Città di Torino, 10144 Torino, Italy
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Breyre AM, Wang DH, Brooten JK, Colwell CB, Hanson KC, Taigman M, Lyng JW. EMS Care of Adult Hospice Patients- a Position Statement and Resource Document of NAEMSP and AAHPM. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2023; 27:560-565. [PMID: 36961936 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2023.2193978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
Emergency medical services (EMS) systems are designed to provide care in the field and while transporting patients to a hospital; however, patients enrolled in hospice may not want invasive therapies nor benefit from hospitalization. For many reasons, encounters with hospice patients can be challenging for EMS systems, EMS clinicians, hospice clinicians, hospice patients, and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M Breyre
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - David H Wang
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Scripps Health, San Diego, California
| | - Justin K Brooten
- Department of Emergency Medicine & Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Christopher B Colwell
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco Zuckerburg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, California
| | - Kenneth C Hanson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Central Michigan University College of Medicine-East Campus, Saginaw, Michigan
| | | | - John W Lyng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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4
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Lee SY, Ro YS, Shin SD, Ko E, Kim SJ. Epidemiology of patients who died in the emergency departments and need of end-of-life care in Korea from 2016 to 2019. Sci Rep 2023; 13:686. [PMID: 36639721 PMCID: PMC9839758 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27947-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The need of palliative care at the end-of-life in the emergency departments (ED) is growing. The study aims to investigate the epidemiology of patients who died during care in ED using nationwide database, and to estimate the need for palliative care in the ED. A retrospective observational study was conducted using the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) database. Patients who died during ED care between 2016 and 2019 were included. Palliative care-eligible disease was defined as cancer (C00-C99 of ICD-10), chronic respiratory disease (CRD, J44-J46), chronic liver disease (CLD, K70-K77), and heart failure (HF, I50). Among the 36,538,486 ED visits during 4 years, 34,086 ED deaths were included. The crude incidence rate of ED deaths per 100,000 person-year was steady between 16.6 in 2016 and 16.3 in 2019 (p-for-trend = 0.067). Only 3370 (9.9%) ED deaths were injury, while 30,716 (90.1%) deaths were related to diseases. The most common ED diagnosis was cardiac arrest (22.1%), followed by pneumonia (8.6%) and myocardial infarction (4.7%). In cases of disease-related ED deaths, about 34.0% stayed longer than 8 h in the ED (median (interquartile range): 4.5 (1.9-11.7) h) and 44.2% received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at end-of-life time. A quarter of the disease-related ED deaths were diagnosed with palliative care eligible disease: cancer (16.9%), CLD (3.8%), HF (3.5%), and CRD (1.4%). Cancer patients received less CPR (23.4%) and stayed longer in the ED (median (interquartile range): 7.3 (3.2-15.9) h). Over the past 4 years, more than 30,000 patients, including 5200 cancer patients, died during care in the ED. A quarter of disease-related ED death were patients with palliative care-eligible condition and more than 30% of them stayed longer than 8 h in the ED before death. It is time to discuss about need of palliative care in the ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Young Lee
- grid.412484.f0000 0001 0302 820XPublic Healthcare Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea ,grid.412484.f0000 0001 0302 820XLaboratory of Emergency Medical Services, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea ,grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Department of Medicine, Seoul National University college of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Sun Ro
- Laboratory of Emergency Medical Services, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea. .,Department of Emergency Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea. .,Department of Emergency Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. .,National Emergency Medical Center, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Sang Do Shin
- grid.412484.f0000 0001 0302 820XLaboratory of Emergency Medical Services, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea ,grid.412484.f0000 0001 0302 820XDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03080 Korea ,grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Department of Emergency Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eunsil Ko
- grid.415619.e0000 0004 1773 6903National Emergency Medical Center, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seong Jung Kim
- National Emergency Medical Center, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. .,Department of Emergency Medicine, Chosun University Hospital, 365 Pilmun-Daero, Dong-Gu, Gwangju, 61453, Korea.
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Billiot AA, Danos DM, Stevens J, Vance KM, Raven MC, Lyons JM. Palliative care reduces emergency room visits and total hospital days among patients with metastatic HPB and GI cancers. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21068. [PMID: 36473913 PMCID: PMC9727158 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23928-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Palliative care services (PCS) have improved quality of life for patients across various cancer subtypes. Minimal data exists regarding PCSfor metastatic hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. We assessed the impact of PCS on emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and survival among these patients. Patients with metastatic HPB and GI cancer referred to outpatient PCS between 2014 and 2018 at a single institution were included. We compared the demographics, outcomes, and end-of-life indicators between those who did and did not receive PCS. The study included 183 patients, with 118 (64.5%) having received PCS. There were no significant differences in age, gender, race, marital status, or insurance. Those receiving PCS were more likely to have colorectal cancer (p = 0.0082) and receive chemotherapy (p = 0.0098). On multivariate analysis, PCS was associated with fewer ED visits (p = 0.0319), hospital admissions (p = 0.0002), and total inpatient hospital days (p < 0.0001) per 30 days of life. Overall survival was greater among patients receiving PCS (HR: 0.65 (0.46-0.92)). Outpatient PCS for patients with metastatic HPB and GI cancer is associated with fewer emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and inpatient hospital days, and improved overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelle A. Billiot
- grid.279863.10000 0000 8954 1233LSUHSC Department of Surgery, New Orleans, LA USA
| | - Denise M. Danos
- grid.279863.10000 0000 8954 1233LSUHSC School of Public Health, New Orleans, LA USA
| | - Jenny Stevens
- grid.279863.10000 0000 8954 1233LSUHSC Department of Surgery, New Orleans, LA USA
| | - Katie M. Vance
- Our Lady of the Lake-Division of Academic Affairs, Baton Rouge, LA USA
| | - Mary C. Raven
- Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute, 7777 Hennessy Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 USA
| | - John M. Lyons
- grid.279863.10000 0000 8954 1233LSUHSC Department of Surgery, New Orleans, LA USA ,Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute, 7777 Hennessy Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 USA
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Grudzen CR, Barker PC, Bischof JJ, Cuthel AM, Isaacs ED, Southerland LT, Yamarik RL. Palliative care models for patients living with advanced cancer: a narrative review for the emergency department clinician. EMERGENCY CANCER CARE 2022; 1:10. [PMID: 35966217 PMCID: PMC9362452 DOI: 10.1186/s44201-022-00010-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Eighty-one percent of persons living with cancer have an emergency department (ED) visit within the last 6 months of life. Many cancer patients in the ED are at an advanced stage with high symptom burden and complex needs, and over half is admitted to an inpatient setting. Innovative models of care have been developed to provide high quality, ambulatory, and home-based care to persons living with serious, life-limiting illness, such as advanced cancer. New care models can be divided into a number of categories based on either prognosis (e.g., greater than or less than 6 months), or level of care (e.g., lower versus higher intensity needs, such as intravenous pain/nausea medication or frequent monitoring), and goals of care (e.g., cancer-directed treatment versus symptom-focused care only). We performed a narrative review to (1) compare models of care for seriously ill cancer patients in the ED and (2) examine factors that may hasten or impede wider dissemination of these models.
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Aaronson EL, Wright RJ, Ritchie CS, Grudzen CR, Ankuda CK, Bowman JK, Kuntz JG, Ouchi K, George N, Jubanyik K, Bright LE, Bickel K, Isaacs E, Petrillo LA, Carpenter C, Goett R, LaPointe L, Owens D, Manfredi R, Quest T. Mapping the future for research in emergency medicine palliative care: A research roadmap. Acad Emerg Med 2022; 29:963-973. [PMID: 35368129 PMCID: PMC11298868 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intersection of emergency medicine (EM) and palliative care (PC) has been recognized as an essential area of focus, with evidence suggesting that increased integration improves outcomes. This has resulted in increased research in EM PC. No current framework exists to help guide investigation and innovation. OBJECTIVE The objective was to convene a working group to develop a roadmap that would help provide focus and prioritization for future research. METHODS Participants were identified based on clinical, operation, policy, and research expertise in both EM and PC and spanned physician, nursing, social work, and patient perspectives. The research roadmap setting process consisted of three distinct phases that were time staggered over 12 months and facilitated through three live video convenings, asynchronous input via an online document, and a series of smaller video convenings of work groups focused on specific topics. RESULTS Gaps in the literature were identified and informed the four key areas for future research. Consensus was reached on these domains and the associated research questions in each domain to help guide future study. The key domains included work focused on the value imperative for PC in the emergency setting, models of care delivery, disparities, and measurement of impact and efficacy. Additionally, the group identified key methodological considerations for doing work at the intersection of EM and PC. CONCLUSIONS There are several key domains and associated questions that can help guide future research in ED PC. Focus on these areas, and answering these questions, offers the potential to improve the emergency care of patients with PC needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L. Aaronson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Christine S. Ritchie
- Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Mongan Institute Center for Aging and Serious Illness, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Corita R. Grudzen
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health/Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Claire K. Ankuda
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jason K. Bowman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joanne G. Kuntz
- Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Emory University Hospital Midtown, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kei Ouchi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Naomi George
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Division of Adult Critical Care, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Karen Jubanyik
- Emergency Department, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Leah E. Bright
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kathleen Bickel
- Hospice and Palliative Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Eric Isaacs
- Emergency Department, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Laura A. Petrillo
- Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christopher Carpenter
- Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Rebecca Goett
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Lauren LaPointe
- Department of Social Work, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Darrell Owens
- University of Washington Medical Center, UW School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Rita Manfredi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Tammie Quest
- Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Emory University Hospital Midtown, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Poggiali E, De Iaco F. The pain in the Emergency Department: Choosing and treating wisely before and during the COVID-19 era. EMERGENCY CARE JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.4081/ecj.2021.9903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain is a frequent reason for referral to the Emergency Department (ED). Adequate management of pain is a moral and ethical imperative. If not correctly treated, acute pain can cause physical and psychological complications, and become chronic with severe consequences such as anxiety, depression, and social isolation. As consequence, emergency clinicians should treat pain as soon as possible, avoiding delays even in case of acute abdominal pain. Pain management is particularly complex in the elderly and emergency clinicians should always consider AGS Beers criteria ® to avoid inappropriate medications, severe side-effects, and drug-drug interactions. Pain is also a common cause of delirium in older patients. The SARS CoV-2 infection not only can cause acute pain, but also exacerbate chronic pain, particularly in the elderly, who are at high risk to be infected. Looking at all this evidence, emergency clinicians should treat pain with different strategies according to their experience and cultural background, making the right choice for each patient. This work is a critical review of the pain management in the ED, with a particular attention on the effects of COVID-19 in the EDs. We conducted a systematic search of the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Medline from 2000 to 2020, using the keywords of “pain”, “emergency”, “COVID19”, “elderly”, “palliative care”, “ketamine”, “dexmedetomidine”, and “post-traumatic stress disorder”. The aim of this review is to help emergency clinicians to correctly manage pain in the ED with a new point of view regarding the pain management in COVID-19 patients.
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Loffredo AJ, Chan GK, Wang DH, Goett R, Isaacs ED, Pearl R, Rosenberg M, Aberger K, Lamba S. United States Best Practice Guidelines for Primary Palliative Care in the Emergency Department. Ann Emerg Med 2021; 78:658-669. [PMID: 34353647 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2021.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The growing palliative care needs of emergency department (ED) patients in the United States have motivated the development of ED primary palliative care principles. An expert panel convened to develop best practice guidelines for ED primary palliative care to help guide frontline ED clinicians based on available evidence and consensus opinion of the panel. Results include recommendations for screening and assessment of palliative care needs, ED management of palliative care needs, goals of care conversations, ED palliative care and hospice consults, and transitions of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Loffredo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA.
| | - Garrett K Chan
- Department of Physiologic Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - David H Wang
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Scripps Health, San Diego, CA
| | - Rebecca Goett
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
| | - Eric D Isaacs
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Rachel Pearl
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Mark Rosenberg
- Department of Emergency Medicine, St Joseph's Health, Paterson and Wayne, NJ
| | - Kate Aberger
- Division of Palliative Medicine and Geriatrics, St Joseph's Health, Paterson, NJ; Department of Emergency Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, Somerville, NJ
| | - Sangeeta Lamba
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
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Emergency Department Referral for Hospice and Palliative Care Differs among Patients with Different End-of-Life Trajectories: A Retrospective Cohort Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18126286. [PMID: 34200689 PMCID: PMC8296068 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Emergency units have been gradually recognized as important settings for palliative care initiation, but require precise palliative care assessments. Patients with different illness trajectories are found to differ in palliative care referrals outside emergency unit settings. Understanding how illness trajectories associate with patient traits in the emergency department may aid assessment of palliative care needs. This study aims to investigate the timing and acceptance of palliative referral in the emergency department among patients with different end-of-life trajectories. Participants were classified into three end-of-life trajectories (terminal, frailty, organ failure). Timing of referral was determined by the interval between the date of referral and the date of death, and acceptance of palliative care was recorded among participants eligible for palliative care. Terminal patients had the highest acceptance of palliative care (61.4%), followed by those with organ failure (53.4%) and patients with frailty (50.1%) (p = 0.003). Terminal patients were more susceptible to late and very late referrals (47.4% and 27.1%, respectively) than those with frailty (34.0%, 21.2%) and with organ failure (30.1%, 18.8%) (p < 0.001, p = 0.022). In summary, patients with different end-of-life trajectories display different palliative care referral and acceptance patterns. Acknowledgement of these characteristics may improve palliative care practice in the emergency department.
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11
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Long DA, Koyfman A, Long B. Oncologic Emergencies: Palliative Care in the Emergency Department Setting. J Emerg Med 2020; 60:175-191. [PMID: 33092975 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2020.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative care is an essential component of emergency medicine, as many patients with terminal illness will present to the emergency department (ED) for symptomatic management at the end of life (EOL). OBJECTIVE This narrative review evaluates palliative care in the ED, with a focus on the literature behind management of EOL symptoms, especially dyspnea and cancer-related pain. DISCUSSION As the population ages, increasing numbers of patients present to the ED with severe EOL symptoms. An understanding of the role of palliative care in the ED is crucial to effectively communicating with these patients to determine their goals and provide medical care in line with their wishes. Beneficence, nonmaleficence, and patient autonomy are essential components of palliative care. Patients without medical decision-making capacity may have an advance directive, do not resuscitate or do not intubate order, or Portable Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment available to assist clinicians. Effective and empathetic communication with patients and families is vital to EOL care discussions. Two of the most common and distressing symptoms at the EOL are dyspnea and pain. The most effective treatment of EOL dyspnea is opioids, with literature showing little efficacy for other therapies. The most effective treatment for cancer-related pain is opioids, with expeditious pain control achievable with a rapid fentanyl titration. It is also important to address nausea, vomiting, and secretions, as these are common at the EOL. CONCLUSIONS Emergency clinicians play a vital role in EOL patient care. Clear, empathetic communication and treatment of EOL symptoms are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew A Long
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
| | - Alex Koyfman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Brit Long
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
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12
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Wang DH, Kuntz J, Aberger K, DeSandre P. Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Caring for Patients in the Emergency Department. J Palliat Med 2019; 22:1597-1602. [DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2019.0251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David H. Wang
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Scripps Health, San Diego, California
| | - Joanne Kuntz
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kate Aberger
- Division of Palliative Medicine and Geriatrics, St. Joseph's Health, Paterson, New Jersey
| | - Paul DeSandre
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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13
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Zeng H, Eugene P, Supino M. Would You Be Surprised if This Patient Died in the Next 12 Months? Using the Surprise Question to Increase Palliative Care Consults From the Emergency Department. J Palliat Care 2019; 35:221-225. [PMID: 31394970 DOI: 10.1177/0825859719866698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing movement to increase palliative care consults from the emergency department (ED) to reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of life. The surprise question is a screening tool that emergency medicine physicians may be able to use towards achieving this goal. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to increase awareness of hospice and palliative care medicine (HPM) among emergency medicine (EM) providers and to evaluate whether this heightened awareness increased palliative care consults among participating emergency medicine providers. METHODS We conducted an anonymous convenience sample survey and two educational interventions about HPM including the surprise question among emergency medicine resident and attending physicians at a large urban public academic quaternary care center from July to November 2018. A report of palliative care consults ordered between August 1, 2017 and January 1, 2019 was generated from the electronic health records used by the hospital. The number of palliative care consults made before and after the educational intervention was compared. RESULTS After the first educational intervention centered on the surprise question, palliative care consults from the ED increased from an average of 2.25 per month (range 0 to 8, SD: 2.38) to 12.67 per month (range 9 to 19, SD: 4.01, p < .001). CONCLUSION Educating EM physicians about the surprise question can increase the number of palliative care consults from the ED, thereby potentially improving patient care and decreasing costs by avoiding unwanted healthcare interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Zeng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, 23214Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Paul Eugene
- Department of Emergency Medicine, 23214Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Mark Supino
- Department of Emergency Medicine, 23214Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA
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The Association of Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment With Intensity of Treatment Among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department. Ann Emerg Med 2019; 75:171-180. [PMID: 31248675 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms are intended to help prevent the provision of unwanted medical interventions among patients with advanced illness or frailty who are approaching the end of life. We seek to evaluate how POLST form completion, treatment limitations, or both influence intensity of treatment among patients who present to the emergency department (ED). METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of adults who presented to the ED at an academic medical center in Oregon between April 2015 and October 2016. POLST form completion and treatment limitations were the main exposures. Primary outcome was hospital admission; secondary outcomes included ICU admission and a composite measure of aggressive treatment. RESULTS A total of 26,128 patients were included; 1,769 (6.8%) had completed POLST forms. Among patients with POLST, 52.1% had full treatment orders, and 6.4% had their forms accessed before admission. POLST form completion was not associated with hospital admission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84 to 1.12), ICU admission (aOR=0.82; 95% CI 0.55 to 1.22), or aggressive treatment (aOR=1.06; 95% CI 0.75 to 1.51). Compared with POLST forms with full treatment orders, those with treatment limitations were not associated with hospital admission (aOR=1.12; 95% CI 0.92 to 1.37) or aggressive treatment (aOR=0.87; 95% CI 0.5 to 1.52), but were associated with lower odds of ICU admission (aOR=0.31; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.61). CONCLUSION Among patients presenting to the ED with POLST, the majority of POLST forms had orders for full treatment and were not accessed by emergency providers. These findings may partially explain why we found no association of POLST with treatment intensity. However, treatment limitations on POLST forms were associated with reduced odds of ICU admission. Implementation and accessibility of POLST forms are crucial when considering their effect on the provision of treatment consistent with patients' preferences.
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Kyeremanteng K, Ismail A, Wan C, Thavorn K, D'Egidio G. Outcomes and Cost of Patients With Terminal Cancer Admitted to Acute Care in the Final 2 Weeks of Life: A Retrospective Chart Review. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2019; 36:1020-1025. [PMID: 30991816 DOI: 10.1177/1049909119843285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with terminal conditions are often admitted to the emergency department (ED) for acute medical services, but studies have suggested that multiple ED admissions may negatively impact end-of-life (EOL) care. Research have shown that incorporating palliative care (PC) is integral to optimal EOL care, but it is an aspect of medical practice that is often neglected. The current study sought to provide an overview of health outcomes and hospital costs of patients with cancer admitted to The Ottawa Hospital and/or received acute medical services during their final 2 weeks of life. Cost comparisons and estimates were made between hospital and hospice expenditures. METHODS We conducted a retrospective chart review of palliative patients who died at The Ottawa Hospital in 2012. A total of 130 patients who visited the ED within 2 weeks of death were included in the analyses. RESULTS In this cohort of patients, 71% of admitted patients did not have advanced care directives and 85% experienced a metastasis, but only 18% had a PC medical doctor. Patients were hospitalized, on average, for 7 days and hospitalization costs exceeded the estimated hospice cost by approximately 2.5 times (Can$1 041 170.00 at Can$8009.00/patient vs Can$401 570.00 at Can$3089.00/patient, respectively). CONCLUSION Our study highlighted the importance of PC integration in high-risk patients, such as those in oncology. Patients in our sample had minimal PC involvement, low advanced care directives, and accrued high costs. Based on our analyses, we concluded that these patients would have likely benefited more from hospice care rather than hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwadwo Kyeremanteng
- 1 Division of Critical Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,2 Division of Palliative Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,3 Institute du Savoir Montfort, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,4 Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Abid Ismail
- 1 Division of Critical Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,5 The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cynthia Wan
- 6 School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kednapa Thavorn
- 5 The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,7 School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gianni D'Egidio
- 1 Division of Critical Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,5 The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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McCallum KJ, Jackson D, Walthall H, Aveyard H. Exploring the quality of the dying and death experience in the Emergency Department: An integrative literature review. Int J Nurs Stud 2018; 85:106-117. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2018.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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17
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Shoenberger J, Lamba S, Goett R, DeSandre P, Aberger K, Bigelow S, Brandtman T, Chan GK, Zalenski R, Wang D, Rosenberg M, Jubanyik K. Development of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Knowledge and Skills for Emergency Medicine Residents: Using the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Milestone Framework. AEM EDUCATION AND TRAINING 2018; 2:130-145. [PMID: 30051080 PMCID: PMC6001832 DOI: 10.1002/aet2.10088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Emergency medicine (EM) physicians commonly care for patients with serious life-limiting illness. Hospice and palliative medicine (HPM) is a subspecialty pathway of EM. Although a subspecialty level of practice requires additional training, primary-level skills of HPM such as effective communication and symptom management are part of routine clinical care and expected of EM residents. However, unlike EM residency curricula in disciplines like trauma and ultrasound, there is no nationally defined HPM curriculum for EM resident training. An expert consensus group was convened with the aim of defining content areas and competencies for HPM primary-level practice in the ED setting. Our overall objective was to develop HPM milestones within a competency framework that is relevant to the practice of EM. METHODS The American College of Emergency Physicians Palliative Medicine Section assembled a committee that included academic EM faculty, community EM physicians, EM residents, and nurses, all with interest and expertise in curricular design and palliative medicine. RESULTS The committee peer reviewed and assessed HPM content for validity and importance to EM residency training. A topic list was developed with three domains: provider skill set, clinical recognition of HPM needs, and logistic understanding related to HPM in the ED. The group also developed milestones in HPM-EM to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and behaviors using the framework modeled after the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) EM milestones. This framework was chosen to make the product as user-friendly and familiar as possible to facilitate use by EM educators. CONCLUSIONS Educators in EM residency programs now have access to HPM content areas and milestones relevant to EM practice that can be used for curriculum development in EM residency programs. The HPM-EM skills/competencies presented herein are structured in a familiar milestone framework that is modeled after the widely accepted ACGME EM milestones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Shoenberger
- Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA
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Díaz-Cortés MDM, Granero-Molina J, Hernández-Padilla JM, Pérez Rodríguez R, Correa Casado M, Fernández-Sola C. Promoting dignified end-of-life care in the emergency department: A qualitative study. Int Emerg Nurs 2018; 37:23-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ienj.2017.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/28/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Wong J, Gott M, Frey R, McLay J, Jull A. Palliative care presentations to emergency departments in a secondary and a sub-acute hospital: A one year incidence study. PROGRESS IN PALLIATIVE CARE 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/09699260.2017.1365407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Wong
- Auckland District Health Board, Private Bag 92024, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Merryn Gott
- School of Nursing, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Rosemary Frey
- School of Nursing, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Jessica McLay
- Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Andrew Jull
- School of Nursing, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
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20
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Shih TC, Chang HT, Lin MH, Chen CK, Chen TJ, Hwang SJ. Trends of Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders, Hospice Care Utilization, and Late Referral to Hospice Care among Cancer Decedents in a Tertiary Hospital in Taiwan between 2008 and 2014: A Hospital-Based Observational Study. J Palliat Med 2017; 20:838-844. [DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2016.0362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Chien Shih
- Baihe Veterans Home, Tainan City, Taiwan
- Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Ting Chang
- Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hwai Lin
- Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ku Chen
- Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Tzeng-Ji Chen
- Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Institute of Hospital and Health Care Administration, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Shinn-Jang Hwang
- Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei City, Taiwan
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21
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Wang DH. Beyond Code Status: Palliative Care Begins in the Emergency Department. Ann Emerg Med 2017; 69:437-443. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2016.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Lamba S, DeSandre PL, Quest TE. Opportunities and Challenges Facing the Integrated Physician Workforce of Emergency Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. J Emerg Med 2016; 51:658-667. [PMID: 27613448 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.06.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Revised: 05/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The American Board of Emergency Medicine joined nine other American Board of Medical Specialties member boards to sponsor the subspecialty of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; the first subspecialty examination was administered in 2008. Since then an increasing number of emergency physicians has sought this certification and entered the workforce. There has been limited discussion regarding the experiences and challenges facing this new workforce. DISCUSSION We use excerpts from conversations with emergency physicians to highlight the challenges in hospice and palliative medicine training and practice that are commonly being identified by these physicians, at varying phases of their careers. The lessons learned from this initial dual-certified physician cohort in real practice fills a current literature gap. Practical guidance is offered for the increasing number of trainees and mid-career emergency physicians who may have an interest in the subspecialty pathway but are seeking answers to what a future integrated practice will look like in order to make informed career decisions. CONCLUSION The Emergency and Hospice and Palliative Medicine integrated workforce is facing novel challenges, opportunities, and growth. The first few years have seen a growing interest in the field among emergency medicine resident trainees. As the dual certified workforce matures, it is expected to impact the clinical practice, research, and education related to emergency palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeeta Lamba
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Paul L DeSandre
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Emory Palliative Care Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Tammie E Quest
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Emory Palliative Care Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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24
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A Pilot Trial to Increase Hospice Enrollment in an Inner City, Academic Emergency Department. J Emerg Med 2016; 51:106-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2015] [Revised: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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25
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Do-not-resuscitate orders and related factors among family surrogates of patients in the emergency department. Support Care Cancer 2015; 24:1999-2006. [DOI: 10.1007/s00520-015-2971-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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26
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Rosenberg M, Rosenberg L. Integrated model of palliative care in the emergency department. West J Emerg Med 2014; 14:633-6. [PMID: 24381685 PMCID: PMC3876308 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2013.5.14674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2012] [Revised: 05/05/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
An integrated model of palliative care in the emergency department (ED) of an inner city academic teaching center utilized existing hospital resources to reduce hospital length of stay (LOS) and reduce overall cost. Benefits related to resuscitation rates, intensity of care, and patient satisfaction are attributed to the ED-based palliative team’s ability to provide real time consults, and utilize InterQual criteria to admit to a less costly level of care or transfer directly to home or hospice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Rosenberg
- Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Joseph's Health Care System, Paterson, New Jersey
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Waldrop D, Clemency B, Maguin E, Lindstrom H. Prehospital Providers’ Perceptions of Emergency Calls Near Life’s End. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2014; 32:198-204. [DOI: 10.1177/1049909113518962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The nature of emergency end-of-life calls is changing as people live longer and die from chronic illnesses. This study explored prehospital providers’ perceptions of (1) end-of-life 911 calls, (2) the signs and symptoms of dying, and (3) medical orders for life sustaining treatment (MOLST). The exploratory–descriptive pilot study was survey based and cross-sectional. Calls to nursing homes occur most often, (47.8% every shift). The MOLST was seen infrequently (57.9% rarely never). The most frequent signs and symptoms of dying were diagnosis (76%), hospice involvement (82%), apnea (75%), mottling (55%), and shortness of breath (48%). The MOLST identifies wishes about intubation (74%), resuscitation (74%), life-sustaining treatment (72%), and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (70%). Synergy exists between the fields of prehospital, hospice, and palliative medicine which offers potential for improved education and care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Waldrop
- University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Brian Clemency
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University at Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Eugene Maguin
- University at Buffalo School of Social Work, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Heather Lindstrom
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University at Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Lamba S, DeSandre PL, Todd KH, Bryant EN, Chan GK, Grudzen CR, Weissman DE, Quest TE. Integration of palliative care into emergency medicine: the Improving Palliative Care in Emergency Medicine (IPAL-EM) collaboration. J Emerg Med 2013; 46:264-70. [PMID: 24286714 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.08.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2012] [Revised: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 08/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergency department (ED) providers commonly care for seriously ill patients who suffer from advanced, chronic, life-limiting illnesses in addition to those that are acutely ill or injured. Both the chronically ill and those who present in extremis may benefit from application of palliative care principles. CASE REPORT We present a case highlighting the opportunities and need for better integration of emergency medicine and palliative care. DISCUSSION We offer practical guidelines to the ED faculty/administrators who seek to enhance the quality of patient care in their own unique ED setting by starting an initiative that better integrates palliative principles into daily practice. Specifically, we outline four things to do to jumpstart this collaborative effort. CONCLUSION The Improving Palliative Care in Emergency Medicine project sponsored by the Center to Advance Palliative Care is a resource that assists ED health care providers with the process and structure needed to integrate palliative care into the ED setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeeta Lamba
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Paul L DeSandre
- Department of Veteran's Affairs, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Knox H Todd
- Department of Emergency Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, Texas
| | - Eric N Bryant
- The Institute for Palliative Medicine at San Diego Hospice, San Diego, California
| | - Garrett K Chan
- Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Emergency Department Clinical Decision Unit and Palliative Care Service, Stanford Hospital & Clinics, Stanford, California
| | - Corita R Grudzen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - David E Weissman
- Medical College of Wisconsin Palliative Care Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Tammie E Quest
- Department of Veteran's Affairs, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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Lamba S, Bonanni M, Courage CA, Nagurka R, Zalenski RJ. When a patient declines curative care: management of a ruptured aortic aneurysm. West J Emerg Med 2013; 14:555-8. [PMID: 24106558 PMCID: PMC3789924 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2013.5.17913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2013] [Revised: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of major vascular emergencies in the emergency department (ED) involves rapid, aggressive resuscitation followed by emergent definitive surgery. However, for some patients this traditional approach may not be consistent with their goals and values. We explore the appropriate way to determine best treatment practices when patients elect to forego curative care in the ED, while reviewing such a case. We present the case of a 72-year-old patient who presented to the ED with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, but refused surgery. We discuss the transition of the patient from a curative to a comfort care approach with appropriate direct referral to hospice from the ED. Using principles of autonomy, decision-making capacity, informed consent, prognostication, and goals-of-care, ED clinicians are best able to align their approach with patients' goals and values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeeta Lamba
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | | | | | - Roxanne Nagurka
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
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Lamba S, Schmidt TA, Chan GK, Todd KH, Grudzen CR, Weissman DE, Quest TE. Integrating palliative care in the out-of-hospital setting: four things to jump-start an EMS-palliative care initiative. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2013; 17:511-20. [PMID: 23968313 DOI: 10.3109/10903127.2013.811566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Emergency medical service (EMS) is frequently called to care for a seriously ill patient with a life-threatening or life-limiting illness. The seriously ill include both the acutely injured patients (for example in mass casualty events) and those who suffer from advanced stages of a chronic disease (for example severe malignant pain). EMS therefore plays an important role in delivering realistic, appropriate, and timely care that is consistent with the patient's wishes and in treating distressing symptoms in those who are seriously ill. The purpose of this article is to; 1) review four case scenarios that relate to palliative care and may be commonly encountered in the out-of-hospital setting and 2) provide a road map by suggesting four things to do to start an EMS-palliative care initiative in order to optimize out-of-hospital care of the seriously ill and increase preparedness of EMS providers in these difficult situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeeta Lamba
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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Lamba S, Nagurka R, Zielinski A, Scott SR. Palliative care provision in the emergency department: barriers reported by emergency physicians. J Palliat Med 2013; 16:143-7. [PMID: 23305188 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2012.0402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is increasing interest in moving palliative care (PC) upstream to the emergency department (ED). However, barriers to PC provision in ED exist and are not yet clearly delineated. OBJECTIVE To elicit the ED physicians' perceived barriers to provision of PC in the ED. METHODS ED physicians at an urban, level-1 trauma center completed an anonymous survey. Participants ranked 23 statements on a five-point Likert-like scale (1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree). Statements covered four main domains of PC barriers: (1) education and training, (2) communication, (3) ED environment, and (4) personal beliefs. Respondents were also asked if they would initiate a PC consultation for ED-specific clinical scenarios (based on established triggers). RESULTS Sixty-seven percent (30/45) of eligible participants completed the survey, average age 31 years. Respondents listed two major barriers to ED PC provision: lack of 24 hour availability of PC team (mean 4.4) and lack of access to complete medical records (mean 4.2). Almost all respondents agreed they would initiate a PC consultation for a hospice patient in respiratory distress, and the majority would consult for massive intracranial hemorrhage, traumatic arrest, or metastatic cancer. However inpatient triggers like frequent readmits for organ failure issues, e.g., dementia, congestive heart failure (CHF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), were rarely chosen for an ED PC consultation. CONCLUSION We identify two main ED physician-perceived barriers to PC provision: lack of access to medical records and lack of 24/7 availability of PC team. ED physicians may not use the same criteria to initiate PC consultation as used in traditional inpatient PC trigger models. Outlining ED-specific triggers may help streamline the palliative consultation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeeta Lamba
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07101, USA.
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Smith AK, McCarthy E, Weber E, Cenzer IS, Boscardin J, Fisher J, Covinsky K. Half of older Americans seen in emergency department in last month of life; most admitted to hospital, and many die there. Health Aff (Millwood) 2012; 31:1277-85. [PMID: 22665840 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2011.0922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Emergency department use contributes to high end-of-life costs and is potentially burdensome for patients and family members. We examined emergency department use in the last months of life for patients age sixty-five or older who died while enrolled in a longitudinal study of older adults in the period 1992-2006. We found that 51 percent of the 4,158 [corrected] decedents visited the emergency department in the last month of life, and 75 percent in the last six months of life. Repeat visits were common. A total of 77 percent of the patients seen in the emergency department in the last month of life were admitted to the hospital, and 68 percent of those who were admitted died there. In contrast, patients who enrolled in hospice at least one month before death rarely visited the emergency department in the last month of life. Policies that encourage the preparation of patients and families for death and early enrollment in hospice may prevent emergency department visits at the end of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander K Smith
- Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), CA, USA.
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Limehouse WE, Ramana Feeser V, Bookman KJ, Derse A. A model for emergency department end-of-life communications after acute devastating events--part II: moving from resuscitative to end-of-life or palliative treatment. Acad Emerg Med 2012; 19:1300-8. [PMID: 23167864 DOI: 10.1111/acem.12018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2012] [Revised: 05/31/2012] [Accepted: 06/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The model for emergency department (ED) end-of-life communications after acute devastating events addresses decision-making capacity, surrogates, and advance directives, including legal definitions and application of these steps. Part II concerns communications moving from resuscitative to palliative and end-of-life treatments. After completing the steps involved in determining decision-making, emergency physicians (EPs) should consider starting palliative measures versus continuing resuscitative treatment. As communications related to these end-of-life decisions increasingly fall within the scope of emergency medicine (EM) practice, we need to become educated about and comfortable with them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter E. Limehouse
- Department of Medicine; Division of Emergency Medicine; Medical University of South Carolina; Charleston SC
| | - V. Ramana Feeser
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center; Richmond VA
| | - Kelly J. Bookman
- Department of Emergency Medicine; University of Colorado; Aurora CO
| | - Arthur Derse
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities Medical College of Wisconsin; Milwaukee WI
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Lamba S, Pound A, Rella JG, Compton S. Emergency Medicine Resident Education in Palliative Care: A Needs Assessment. J Palliat Med 2012; 15:516-20. [DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2011.0457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sangeeta Lamba
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Amy Pound
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Joseph G. Rella
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Scott Compton
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey
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Lamba S, Nagurka R, Murano T, Zalenski RJ, Compton S. Early Identification of Dying Trajectories in Emergency Department Patients: Potential Impact on Hospital Care. J Palliat Med 2012; 15:392-5. [DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2011.0358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sangeeta Lamba
- University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Roxanne Nagurka
- University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Tiffany Murano
- University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey
| | | | - Scott Compton
- University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey
- Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
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Lamba S, Quest TE, Weissman DE. Emergency Department Management of Hospice Patients #246. J Palliat Med 2011; 14:1345-6. [DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2011.9627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Lamba S, Quest TE, Weissman DE. Initiating a Hospice Referral from the Emergency Department #247. J Palliat Med 2011; 14:1346-7. [DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2011.9626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Zieske M, Abbott J. Ethics seminar: the hospice patient in the ED: an ethical approach to understanding barriers and improving care. Acad Emerg Med 2011; 18:1201-7. [PMID: 22092905 DOI: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2011.01200.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Emergency physicians (EPs) are asked to evaluate and treat a growing population of hospice patients who present to the emergency department (ED) for a number of important reasons. Hospice patients pose unique ethical challenges, and "best practices" for these patients can differ from the life-preserving interventions of usual ED care. Having a solid understanding of professional responsibilities and ethical principles is useful for guiding EP management of these patients. In end-of-life care, EPs need to recognize that there are barriers and complexities to the best management of hospice patients, but they need to commit to strategies that optimize their care. This article describes the case of a hospice patient who presented with sepsis and end-stage cancer to the ED. Patient, system, and physician factors made management decisions in the ED difficult. The goal in the ED should be to determine the best way to address terminally ill patient needs while respecting wishes to limit interventions that will only increase suffering near the end of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Zieske
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Denver Health Medical Center, CO, USA.
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Quest TE, Asplin BR, Cairns CB, Hwang U, Pines JM. Research priorities for palliative and end-of-life care in the emergency setting. Acad Emerg Med 2011; 18:e70-6. [PMID: 21676052 PMCID: PMC3368013 DOI: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2011.01088.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Palliative care focuses on the physical, spiritual, psychological, and social care from diagnosis to cure or death of a potentially life-threatening illness. When cure is not attainable and end of life approaches, the intensity of palliative care is enhanced to deliver the highest quality care experience. The emergency department (ED) frequently cares for patients and families during the end-of-life phase of the palliative care continuum. The intersection between palliative care and emergency care continues to be more clearly defined. Currently, there is a mounting body of evidence to guide the most effective strategies for improving palliative and end-of-life care in the ED. In a workgroup session at the 2009 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)/American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) conference "Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Emergency Care Across the Continuum: A Systems Approach," four key research questions arose: 1) which patients are in greatest need of palliative care services in the ED, 2) what is the optimal role of emergency clinicians in caring for patients along a chronic trajectory of illness, 3) how does the integration and initiation of palliative care training and services in the ED setting affect health care utilization, and 4) what are the educational priorities for emergency clinical providers in the domain of palliative care? Workgroup leaders suggest that these four key questions may be answered by strengthening the evidence using six categories of inquiry: descriptive, attitudinal, screening, outcomes, resource allocation, and education of clinicians.
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