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de Sola-Smith K, Gilissen J, van der Steen JT, Mayan I, Van den Block L, Ritchie CS, Hunt LJ. Palliative Care in Early Dementia. J Pain Symptom Manage 2024:S0885-3924(24)00798-X. [PMID: 38848792 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative care is recommended for all people with dementia from diagnosis through end-of-life. However, palliative care needs and effective elements of palliative care are not well-defined for the earlier stages of dementia. OBJECTIVE To systematically map current research on palliative care early in the disease trajectory of dementia. DESIGN Scoping review of scientific literature. DATA SOURCES PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane, PsycINFO, Web of Science. REVIEW METHODS We included studies published in English over the last decade (through March 2022) that focused on palliative care in early stages of dementia and targeted outcomes in palliative care domains. Two authors independently screened abstracts and full texts and scored the quality of included studies using tools by the Joanna Briggs Institute. RESULTS Among the 77 papers reviewed, few addressed early stages of dementia specifically. We found that: 1) While "early" palliative care was not well-defined in the literature, evidence indicated that palliative care needs were present at or before diagnosis and across the trajectory. Notable opportunities for palliative care arise at 'tipping points' (i.e., when symptoms, functional status, or caregiving needs change). 2) Palliative care needs in early dementia include advocacy for goal-aligned care in the future, reassurance against the threat of negligence and abandonment by caregivers, planning for future scenarios of care (practical, individual, and relational needs), and establishing of long-term relationships with providers entrusted for care later in disease. 3) Elements of effective palliative care in early dementia could include dementia-specific ACP and goals of care discussions, navigation for building a network of support, provision of tools and resources for family, tailored care and knowledge of the person, and well-prepared dementia-care providers. The scarcity of palliative care studies aimed at early disease indicates a gap in the evidence in dementia care. CONCLUSION The literature on palliative care in early dementia is sparse. Future studies should focus on assessment tools for optimizing timing of palliative care in early dementia, gaining better understanding of patient and family needs during early phases of disease, and providing training for providers and families in long-term relationships and communication around goals of care and future planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen de Sola-Smith
- Department of Geriatrics (K.d.S.), Palliative and Extended Care, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA; Department of Physiological Nursing (K.d.S., L.J.H.), University of California San Francisco, California, USA.
| | - Joni Gilissen
- Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) (J.G., I.M., C.S.R., L.J.H.), University of California San Francisco, California, USA; Department of Family Medicine and Chronic Care (J.G., L.V.B), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Department of Public Health and Primary Care, End-of-Life Care Research Group, Universiteit Gent, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jenny T van der Steen
- Department of Primary and Community Care and Radboudumc Alzheimer Center (J.T.S.), Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Public Health and Primary Care (J.T.S.), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Inbal Mayan
- Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) (J.G., I.M., C.S.R., L.J.H.), University of California San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Lieve Van den Block
- Department of Family Medicine and Chronic Care (J.G., L.V.B), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Department of Public Health and Primary Care, End-of-Life Care Research Group, Universiteit Gent, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christine S Ritchie
- Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) (J.G., I.M., C.S.R., L.J.H.), University of California San Francisco, California, USA; Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine and the Mongan Institute for Aging and Serious Illness (CASI) (C.S.R.), Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School (C.S.R.), Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lauren J Hunt
- Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) (J.G., I.M., C.S.R., L.J.H.), University of California San Francisco, California, USA; Department of Physiological Nursing (K.d.S., L.J.H.), University of California San Francisco, California, USA; Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies (L.J.H.), University of California San Francisco, California, USA
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Michel C, Seipp H, Kuss K, Hach M, Kussin A, Riera-Knorrenschild J, Bösner S. Key aspects of psychosocial needs in palliative care - a qualitative analysis within the setting of a palliative care unit in comparison with specialised palliative home care. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:100. [PMID: 37480117 PMCID: PMC10360287 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01227-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of palliative care patients with complex needs is increasing in developed countries. In addition to physical aspects and symptom control, psychosocial aspects are of great importance for palliative care patients. The aim of this study was to understand which psychosocial aspects are important to patients, relatives and health professionals within the setting of a palliative care unit in comparison with specialised palliative home-care (SPHC). METHODS We used a qualitative design based on semistructured interviews, which were coded via qualitative content analysis. The study took place in the state of Hesse, Germany, and data collection was conducted in 2017 (interviews from the ELSAH study, which was conducted in a SPHC) and 2018 (supplementary interviews conducted in a palliative care unit). The results from both settings were compared. RESULTS In the palliative care unit, 10 health professionals, 11 patients and 8 relatives were interviewed. In the outpatient setting, we interviewed 30 health professionals, 14 patients and 14 relatives. We identified four key psychosocial issues related to palliative care that were relevant in both the inpatient and outpatient settings: care planning, patient-centred care, a protected environment with feelings of safety, and psychological well-being. In addition, immediate availability of medical staff, greater relief of the relatives and better accessibility of psychological care were more important in the inpatient setting than in the specialised palliative home care setting. CONCLUSIONS Knowledge and application of the identified key issues may improve patient-centred palliative care. Accessibility of psychological care and immediate availability of medical staff may be important factors for enhancing psychological well-being in the inpatient palliative care setting. Consideration of the identified key issues may help to develop more collaborative transitions between the palliative care unit and the SPHC and may help to provide palliative care patients and their families with care that is appropriate and feasible for them. TRIAL REGISTRATION The underlying comparative study of the outpatient setting of specialised palliative home-care (ELSAH) was registered within the German Clinical Trials Register DRKS-ID: DRKS00012421, ( https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00012421 ) on 19th May 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathrin Michel
- Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Philipps- University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 4, 35032, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Hannah Seipp
- Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Philipps- University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 4, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Kuss
- Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Philipps- University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 4, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Hach
- Professional Association of Specialised Palliative Homecare in Hesse, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Andrea Kussin
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Therapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Bösner
- Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Philipps- University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 4, 35032, Marburg, Germany
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Knighten ML. The Business Case to Care for Persons With Serious Illness Using Home-Based and Community-Based Palliative Care. Nurs Adm Q 2022; 46:309-315. [PMID: 36071658 DOI: 10.1097/naq.0000000000000547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The number of persons with serious illness in America has dramatically increased over the last half decade, while the cost for health care quadrupled. The trajectory of these chronic conditions can mean declining health, frequent emergency department visits and more hospitalizations, driving up health care costs, and reducing quality of life. Palliative care, a viable solution to reducing disease burden, improving quality of life, and decreasing costs, has been offered in hospitals for many years and is now a standard of care and practice. Palliative care can be provided while concomitantly offering disease-targeted treatment. Home-based and community-based palliative care models offer new and innovative avenues for the provision of palliative care outside the hospital walls. Definitions to differentiate between palliative care, hospice, and long-term services and support will be presented. How to make the business case for home-based or community-based palliative care will be made, with insights, resources, and tools for calculating the return on investment. The role and competencies for palliative care nurse leaders will be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Lynne Knighten
- Doctoral Programs Department, School of Nursing, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, California
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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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Measuring effectiveness in community-based palliative care programs: A systematic review. Soc Sci Med 2022; 296:114731. [DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Roberts B, Robertson M, Ojukwu EI, Wu DS. Home Based Palliative Care: Known Benefits and Future Directions. CURRENT GERIATRICS REPORTS 2021; 10:141-147. [PMID: 34849331 PMCID: PMC8614075 DOI: 10.1007/s13670-021-00372-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review To summarize key recent evidence regarding the impact of Home-Based Palliative Care (HBPalC) and to highlight opportunities for future study. Recent Findings HBPalC is cost effective and benefits patients and caregivers across the health care continuum. Summary High-quality data support the cost effectiveness of HBPalC. A growing literature base supports the benefits of HBPalC for patients, families, and informal caregivers by alleviating symptoms, reducing unwanted hospitalizations, and offering support at the end of life. Numerous innovative HBPalC models exist, but there is a lack of high-quality evidence comparing specific models across subpopulations. Our wide literature search captured no research regarding HBPalC for underserved populations. Further research will also be necessary to guide quality standards for HBPalC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Roberts
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Mariah Robertson
- Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Ekene I Ojukwu
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - David Shih Wu
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
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Tay DL, Ellington L, Towsley GL, Supiano K, Berg CA. Emotional expression in conversations about advance care planning among older adult home health patients and their caregivers. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2021; 104:2232-2239. [PMID: 33658140 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine patient and caregivers' differences in emotional expression and explore topics associated with emotional expression during advance care planning (ACP) discussions. METHODS Older adult home health patient-caregiver dyads participated in video-recorded ACP conversations as part of a collaboration-focused intervention study. Recordings were coded in Noldus Observer XT, analyzed with descriptive statistics, Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel and Breslow-Day test, and integrated with qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Eighteen patient-caregiver dyads were purposively recruited. Participants were mostly female (11 patients; 13 caregivers). Mean ages were 68.22 (SD = 9.64) for patients and 61.28 (SD = 13.60) for caregivers. Emotional expression (depth of emotion, positive and negative valence) was similar across patients and caregivers. Conversations centered on positive and negative decisional, relational, and existential topics. CONCLUSIONS This study explored emotional expression and identified topics associated with emotion for patients and caregivers during collaborative ACP. Findings suggest that collaboration in ACP can have positive relational aspects for patient-caregiver dyads, while negative emotions can also be distressing. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS This study describes the range of emotions that are common during patient and caregiver ACP discussions. Clinical implications for the assessment of caregiver support and awareness of the interdependent nature of decision making is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djin L Tay
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
| | - Lee Ellington
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
| | - Gail L Towsley
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
| | - Katherine Supiano
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
| | - Cynthia A Berg
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
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Smith TJ. Successful Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy with Scrambler Therapy. J Palliat Med 2021; 24:320-321. [PMID: 33650908 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2020.0658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Smith
- Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Ernecoff NC, Altieri-Dunn SC, Bilderback A, Wilson CL, Saxon S, Ahuja Yende N, Arnold RM, Boninger M. Evaluation of a Home-Based, Nurse Practitioner-led Advanced Illness Care Program. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2021; 22:2389-2393. [PMID: 34115993 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2021.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In the United States, people with serious illness often experience gaps and discontinuity in care. Gaps are frequently exacerbated by limited mobility, need for social support, and challenges managing multiple comorbidities. The Advanced Illness Care (AIC) Program provides nurse practitioner-led, home-based care for people with serious or complex chronic illnesses that specifically targets palliative care needs and coordinates with patients' primary care and specialty health care providers. We sought to investigate the effect of the AIC Program on hospital encounters [hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits], hospice conversion, and mortality. DESIGN Retrospective nearest-neighbor matching. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Patients in AIC who had ≥1 inpatient stay within the 60 days prior to AIC enrollment to fee-for-service Medicare controls at 9 hospitals within one health system. METHODS We matched on demographic characteristics and comorbidities, with exact matches for diagnosis-related group and home health enrollment. Outcomes were hospital encounters (30- and 90-day ED visits and hospitalizations), hospice conversion, and 30- and 90-day mortality. RESULTS We included 110 patients enrolled in the AIC Program matched to 371 controls. AIC enrollees were mean age 77.0, 40.9% male, and 79.1% white. Compared with controls, AIC enrollees had a higher likelihood of ED visits at 30 [15.1 percentage points, confidence interval (CI) 4.9, 25.3; P = .004] and 90 days (27.8 percentage points, CI 16.0, 39.6; P < .001); decreased likelihood of hospitalization at 30 days (11.4 percentage points, CI -17.7, -5.0; P < .001); and a higher likelihood of converting to hospice (22.4 percentage points, CI 11.4, 33.3; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS The AIC Program provides care and coordination that the home-based serious illness population may not otherwise receive. IMPLICATIONS By identifying and addressing care needs and gaps in care early, patients may avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and receive timely hospice services as they approach the end of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie C Ernecoff
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Susan Saxon
- Palliative and Supportive Institutive, UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Namita Ahuja Yende
- Innovative Homecare Solutions, UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Health Plan, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Division of Geriatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Robert M Arnold
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Palliative and Supportive Institutive, UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Michael Boninger
- Innovative Homecare Solutions, UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Kistler CE, Sloane PD, Zimmerman S. New Findings on Palliative Care Issues Near the End-of-Life. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2020; 22:265-267. [PMID: 33378649 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christine E Kistler
- Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Philip D Sloane
- Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sheryl Zimmerman
- Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Schools of Social Work and Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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McDermott CL, Engelberg RA, Khandelwal N, Steiner JM, Feemster LC, Sibley J, Lober WB, Curtis JR. The Association of Advance Care Planning Documentation and End-of-Life Healthcare Use Among Patients With Multimorbidity. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2020; 38:954-962. [PMID: 33084357 DOI: 10.1177/1049909120968527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Multimorbidity is associated with increased intensity of end-of-life healthcare. This association has been examined by number but not type of conditions. Our purpose was to understand how intensity of care is influenced by multimorbidity within specific chronic conditions to provide guidance for interventions to improve end-of-life care for these patients. METHODS We identified adults cared for in a multihospital healthcare system who died between 2010-2017. We categorized patients by 4 primary chronic conditions: heart failure, pulmonary disease, renal disease, or dementia. Within each condition, we examined the effect of multimorbidity (presence of 4 or more chronic conditions) on hospital and ICU admission in the last 30 days of life, in-hospital death, and advance care planning (ACP) documentation >30 days before death. We performed logistic regression to estimate associations between multimorbidity and end-of-life care utilization, stratified by the presence or absence of ACP documentation. RESULTS ACP documentation >30 days before death was associated with lower odds of in-hospital death for all 4 conditions both in patients with and without multimorbidity. With the exception of patients with renal disease without multimorbidity, we observed lower odds of hospitalization and ICU admission for all patients with ACP >30 days before death. CONCLUSIONS Patients with dementia and multimorbidity had the highest odds of high-intensity end-of-life care. For patients with dementia, heart failure, or pulmonary disease, ACP documentation >30 days before death was associated with lower likelihood of in-hospital death, hospitalization, and ICU use at end-of-life, regardless of multimorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara L McDermott
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ruth A Engelberg
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nita Khandelwal
- Division of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jill M Steiner
- Division of Cardiology, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Laura C Feemster
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,VA Health Services Research & Development, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - James Sibley
- Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - William B Lober
- Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - J Randall Curtis
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Kistler CE, Van Dongen MJ, Ernecoff NC, Daaleman TP, Hanson LC. Evaluating the care provision of a community-based serious-illness care program via chart measures. BMC Geriatr 2020; 20:351. [PMID: 32933473 PMCID: PMC7493350 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-020-01736-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although quality-of-care domains for home-based primary and palliative programs have been proposed, they have had limited testing in practice. Our aim was to evaluate the care provision in a community-based serious-illness care program, a combined home-based primary and palliative care model. METHODS Retrospective chart review of patients in an academic community-based serious-illness care program in central North Carolina from August 2014 to March 2016 (n = 159). Chart review included demographics, health status, and operationalized measures of seven quality-of-care domains: medical assessment, care coordination, safety, quality of life, provider competency, goal attainment, and access. RESULTS Patients were mostly women (56%) with an average age of 70 years. Patients were multi-morbid (53% ≥3 comorbidities), functionally impaired (45% had impairment in ≥2 activities of daily living) and 32% had dementia. During the study period, 31% of patients died. Chart review found high rates assessment of functional status (97%), falls (98%), and medication safety (96%). Rates of pain assessment (70%), advance directive discussions (65%), influenza vaccination (59%), and depression assessment (54% of those with a diagnosis of depression) were lower. Cognitive barriers, spiritual needs, and behavioral issues were assessed infrequently (35, 22, 21%, respectively). CONCLUSION This study is one of the first to operationalize and examine quality-of-care measures for a community-based serious-illness care program, an emerging model for vulnerable adults. Our operationalization should not constitute validation of these measures and revealed areas for improvement; however, the community-based serious-illness care program performed well in several key quality-of-care domains. Future work is needed to validate these measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine E. Kistler
- grid.410711.20000 0001 1034 1720Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina, 590 Manning Drive, CB #7595, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA ,grid.410711.20000 0001 1034 1720Department of Internal Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA ,grid.410711.20000 0001 1034 1720Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Matthew J. Van Dongen
- grid.410711.20000 0001 1034 1720Department of Internal Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Natalie C. Ernecoff
- grid.21925.3d0000 0004 1936 9000Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Timothy P. Daaleman
- grid.410711.20000 0001 1034 1720Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina, 590 Manning Drive, CB #7595, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Laura C. Hanson
- grid.410711.20000 0001 1034 1720Department of Internal Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA ,grid.410711.20000 0001 1034 1720Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
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