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Levy C, Esmaeili A, Smith D, Hogikyan RV, Periyakoil VS, Carpenter JG, Sales A, Phibbs CS, Murray A, Ersek M. Life-sustaining treatment decisions and family evaluations of end-of-life care for Veteran decedents in Department of Veterans Affairs nursing homes. J Am Geriatr Soc 2024; 72:2709-2720. [PMID: 38970392 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.19050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Modeled after the Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment program, the Veterans Health Administration (VA) implemented the Life-Sustaining Treatment (LST) Decisions Initiative to improve end-of-life outcomes by standardizing LST preference documentation for seriously ill Veterans. This study examined the associations between LST documentation and family evaluation of care in the final month of life for Veterans in VA nursing homes. METHODS Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of data for decedents in VA nursing homes between July 1, 2018 and January 31, 2020 (N = 14,575). Regression modeling generated odds for key end-of-life outcomes and family ratings of care quality. RESULTS LST preferences were documented for 12,928 (89%) of VA nursing home decedents. Contrary to our hypothesis, neither receipt of wanted medications and medical treatment (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63, 1.16) nor ratings of overall care in the last month of life (adjusted OR: 0.96, 95% CI 0.76, 1.22) differed significantly between those with and without completed LST templates in adjusted analyses. CONCLUSIONS Among Community Living Center (CLC) decedents, 89% had documented LST preferences. No significant differences were observed in family ratings of care between Veterans with and without documentation of LST preferences. Interventions aimed at improving family ratings of end-of-life care quality in CLCs should not target LST documentation in isolation of other factors associated with higher family ratings of end-of-life care quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cari Levy
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Aryan Esmaeili
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Dawn Smith
- Veteran Experience Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert V Hogikyan
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor VA Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Joan G Carpenter
- Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anne Sales
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Sinclair School of Nursing and Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Ciaran S Phibbs
- Department of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA
| | - Andrew Murray
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Department of Veterans Affairs, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mary Ersek
- Veteran Experience Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Department of Veterans Affairs, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Doherty C, Feder S, Gillespie-Heyman S, Akgün KM. Easing Suffering for ICU Patients and Their Families: Evidence and Opportunities for Primary and Specialty Palliative Care in the ICU. J Intensive Care Med 2024; 39:715-732. [PMID: 37822226 DOI: 10.1177/08850666231204305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Intensive care unit (ICU) admissions are often accompanied by many physical and existential pressure points that can be extraordinarily wearing on patients and their families and surrogate decision makers (SDMs). Multidisciplinary palliative support, including physicians, advanced practice nurses, nutritionists, chaplains and other team members, may alleviate many of these sources of potential suffering. However, the palliative needs of ICU patients undoubtedly exceed the bandwidth of current consultative specialty palliative medicine teams. Informed by standard-of-care palliative medicine domains, we review common ICU symptoms (pain, dyspnea and thirst) and their prevalence, sources and their treatment. We then identify palliative needs and impacts in the domains of communication, SDM support and transitions of care for patients and their families through their journey in the ICU, from discharge and recovery at home to chronic critical illness, post-ICU disability or death. Finally, we examine the evidence for strategies to incorporate specialty palliative medicine and palliative principles into ICU care for the improvement of patient- and family-centered care. While randomized controlled studies have failed to demonstrate measurable improvement in pre-determined outcomes for patient- and family-relevant outcomes, embracing the principles of palliative medicine and assuring their delivery in the ICU is likely to translate to overall improvement in humanistic, person-centered care that supports patients and their SDMs during and following critical illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Doherty
- Department of Internal Medicine New Haven, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shelli Feder
- Yale University School of Nursing, Orange, CT, USA
| | | | - Kathleen M Akgün
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, VA-Connecticut and Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Umberfield EE, Fields MC, Lenko R, Morgan TP, Adair ES, Fromme EK, Lum HD, Moss AH, Wenger NS, Sudore RL, Hickman SE. An Integrative Review of the State of POLST Science: What Do We Know and Where Do We Go? J Am Med Dir Assoc 2024; 25:557-564.e8. [PMID: 38395413 PMCID: PMC10996838 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2024.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES POLST is widely used in the care of seriously ill patients to document decisions made during advance care planning (ACP) conversations as actionable medical orders. We conducted an integrative review of existing research to better understand associations between POLST use and key ACP outcomes as well as to identify directions for future research. DESIGN Integrative review. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Not applicable. METHODS We queried PubMed and CINAHL databases using names of POLST programs to identify research on POLST. We abstracted study information and assessed study design quality. Study outcomes were categorized using the international ACP Outcomes Framework: Process, Action, Quality of Care, Health Status, and Healthcare Utilization. RESULTS Of 94 POLST studies identified, 38 (40%) had at least a moderate level of study design quality and 15 (16%) included comparisons between POLST vs non-POLST patient groups. There was a significant difference between groups for 40 of 70 (57%) ACP outcomes. The highest proportion of significant outcomes was in Quality of Care (15 of 19 or 79%). In subdomain analyses of Quality of Care, POLST use was significantly associated with concordance between treatment and documentation (14 of 18 or 78%) and preferences concordant with documentation (1 of 1 or 100%). The Action outcome domain had the second highest positive rate among outcome domains; 9 of 12 (75%) Action outcomes were significant. Healthcare Utilization outcomes were the most frequently assessed and approximately half (16 of 35 or 46%) were significant. Health Status outcomes were not significant (0 of 4 or 0%), and no Process outcomes were identified. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Findings of this review indicate that POLST use is significantly associated with a Quality of Care and Action outcomes, albeit in nonrandomized studies. Future research on POLST should focus on prospective mixed methods studies and high-quality pragmatic trials that assess a broad range of person and health system-level outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth E Umberfield
- Division of Nursing Research, Department of Nursing, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Artificial Intelligence and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| | - Matthew C Fields
- School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Communication and Training (RESPECT) Signature Center, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Rachel Lenko
- Department of Nursing, School of Health, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Teryn P Morgan
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Regenstrief Institute, Inc, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Department of BioHealth Informatics, School of Informatics and Computing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Erik K Fromme
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Ariadne Labs at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hillary D Lum
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Alvin H Moss
- Center for Health Ethics and Law, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA; Divisions of Nephrology and Palliative Medicine, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Neil S Wenger
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca L Sudore
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Susan E Hickman
- School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Communication and Training (RESPECT) Signature Center, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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McMahan RD, Hickman SE, Sudore RL. What Clinicians and Researchers Should Know About the Evolving Field of Advance Care Planning: a Narrative Review. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:652-660. [PMID: 38169025 PMCID: PMC10973287 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08579-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Advance care planning (ACP) has been recognized as crucial by patients, families, and clinicians; however, different definitions and measurements have led to inconsistencies in practice and mixed evidence in the literature. This narrative review explores ACP's evolution, innovations, and outcomes using thematic analysis to synthesize data from randomized controlled trials, reviews, and editorials. Key findings include (1) ACP has evolved over the past several decades from a sole focus on code status and advance directive (AD) forms to a continuum of care planning over the life course focused on tailored preparation for patients and surrogate decision-makers and (2) ACP measurement has evolved from traditional outcome metrics, such as AD completion, to a comprehensive outcomes framework that includes behavior change theory, systems, implementation science, and a focus on surrogate outcomes. Since the recent development of an ACP consensus definition and outcomes framework, high-quality trials have reported mainly positive outcomes for interventions, especially for surrogates, which aligns with the patient desire to relieve decision-making burden for loved ones. Additionally, measurement of "clinically meaningful" ACP information, including documented goals of care discussions, is increasingly being integrated into electronic health records (EHR), and emerging, real-time assessments and natural language processing are enhancing ACP evaluation. To make things easier for patients, families, and care teams, clinicians and researchers can use and disseminate these evolved definitions; provide patients validated, easy-to-use tools that prime patients for conversations and decrease health disparities; use easy-to-access clinician training and simple scripts for interdisciplinary team members; and document patients' values and preferences in the medical record to capture clinically meaningful ACP so this information is available at the point of care. Future efforts should focus on efficient implementation, expanded reimbursement options, and seamless integration of EHR documentation to ensure ACP's continued evolution to better serve patients and their care partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D McMahan
- Division of Geriatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Susan E Hickman
- Department of Community & Health Systems, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute Inc, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Rebecca L Sudore
- Division of Geriatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Zhou Y, Bai Z, Cheng L, Zheng Q, Li L. Reliability and Validity of the Chinese Version of Advance Care Planning Self-efficacy Scale for Physicians. J Palliat Care 2024; 39:36-46. [PMID: 37415494 DOI: 10.1177/08258597231185679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Background: Chinese patients prefer physicians to initiate advance care planning (ACP) conversations, but there is no appropriate tool to evaluate physicians' ACP self-efficacy level in mainland China. This study aimed to translate the ACP self-efficacy scale into Chinese (ACP-SEc) and measure its psychometric properties among clinical physicians. Method: The original scale was translated by literal translation, synthesis, and reverse translation, according to Brislin's translation model. Seven experts were invited to further revise the scale and evaluate the content validity. 348 physicians were conveniently sampled to evaluate the reliability and validity of the scale from May to June 2021 in 7 tertiary hospitals. Results: The ACP-SEc contained 17 items, 1 dimension, with a total score of 17 to 85 points. In this study, the critical ratios of the items ranged from 12.533 to 23.306, the item-total correlation coefficients ranged from 0.619 to 0.839. The item-content validity index ranged from 0.86 to 1.00, and the average scale-level content validity index was 0.98. In total, 75.507% of the total variance was explained by 1 common factor. The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed that the fitting indices of the modified model were desirable. The ACP-SEc was moderately correlated with General Self-Efficacy Scale (r = 0.675, P < .001), and it differentiated between physician groups based on the knowledge level of ACP, palliative care or ACP-related training experience, attitude toward ACP, willingness to initiate ACP discussions with patients, and experience of discussing ACP with family and friends, willingness to initiate ACP discussions with family and friends (P <.05). The total Cronbach's α and test-retest reliability of the scale were .960 and .976, respectively. Conclusion: The ACP-SEc shows good reliability and validity, and it can be used to assess the ACP self-efficacy level of physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Zhou
- Department of Nursing, The Third Affiliated Hospital of the Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiling Bai
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Lin Cheng
- Military patient management section, The 926th Hospital of the joint logistics support force of the Chinese people's Liberation Army, Kaiyuan, China
| | - Qin Zheng
- Department of Nursing, The Third Affiliated Hospital of the Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Nursing, The Third Affiliated Hospital of the Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Smith MA, Brøchner AC, Nedergaard HK, Jensen HI. "Gives peace of mind" - Relatives' perspectives of end-of-life conversations. Palliat Support Care 2023:1-8. [PMID: 37982296 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951523001633] [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: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Planning for end-of-life (EOL) and future treatment and care through advance care planning (ACP) is being increasingly implemented in different healthcare settings, and interest in ACP is growing. Several studies have emphasized the importance of relatives participating in conversations about wishes for EOL and being included in the process. Likewise, research has highlighted how relatives can be a valuable resource in an emergency setting. Although relatives have a significant role, few studies have investigated their perspectives of ACP and EOL conversations. This study explores relatives' experiences of the benefits and disadvantages of having conversations about wishes for EOL treatment. METHODS Semi-structured telephone interviews were held with 29 relatives who had participated in a conversation about EOL wishes with a patient and physician 2 years prior in a variety of Danish healthcare settings. The relatives were interviewed between September 2020 and June 2022. Content analysis was performed on the qualitative data. RESULTS The interviews revealed two themes: "gives peace of mind" and "enables more openness and common understanding of EOL." Relatives found that conversations about EOL could help assure that patients were heard and enhance their autonomy. These conversations relieved the relatives of responsibility by clarifying or confirming the patients' wishes, and they also made the relatives reflect on their own wishes for EOL. Moreover, they helped patients and relatives address other issues regarding EOL and made wishes more visible across settings. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS The results indicate that conducting conversations about wishes for EOL treatment and having relatives participate in those conversations were perceived as beneficial for both relatives and patients. Involving relatives in ACP should be prioritized by physicians and healthcare personnel when holding conversations about EOL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette A Smith
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kolding Hospital, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Kolding, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Anne C Brøchner
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kolding Hospital, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Kolding, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Helene K Nedergaard
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kolding Hospital, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Kolding, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Hanne I Jensen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kolding Hospital, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Kolding, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Gupta S, Chen BJ, Suolang D, Cooper R, Faigle R. Advance directives among community-dwelling stroke survivors. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292484. [PMID: 37847705 PMCID: PMC10581473 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Advance directives (ADs) are integral to health care, allowing patients to specify surrogate decision-makers and treatment preferences in case of loss of capacity. The present study sought to identify determinants of ADs among stroke survivors. METHODS In this cross-sectional study (Care Attitudes and Preferences in Stroke Survivors [CAPriSS]), community-dwelling stroke survivors were surveyed on ADs; validated scales were used to query palliative care knowledge and attitudes towards life-sustaining treatments. Logistic regression was used to determine variables associated with ADs. RESULTS Among 562 community-dwelling stroke survivors who entered the survey after screening questions confirmed eligibility, 421 (74.9%) completed survey components with relevant variables of interest. The median age was 69 years (IQR 58-75 years); 53.7% were male; and 15.0% were Black. Two hundred and fifty-one (59.6%) respondents had ADs. Compared to stroke survivors without ADs, those with ADs were more likely to be older (median age 72 vs. 61 years; p<0.001), White (91.2% vs. 75.9%, p<0.001), and male (58.6% vs. 46.5%, p = 0.015), and reported higher education (p<0.001) and income (p = 0.011). Ninety-eight (23.3%) participants had "never heard of palliative care". Compared to participants without ADs, participants with ADs had higher Palliative Care Knowledge Scale (PaCKS) scores (median 10 [IQR 5-12] vs. 7 [IQR 0-11], p<0.001), and lower scores on the Attitudes Towards Life-Sustaining Treatments Scale (indicating a more negative attitude towards life-sustaining treatments; median 23 [IQR 18-28] vs. 29 [IQR 24-35], p<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression identified age (OR 1.62 per 10 year increase, 95% CI 1.30-2.02; p<0.001), prior advance care planning discussion with a physician (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.04-2.86; p = 0.034), PaCKS scores (OR 1.06 per 1 point increase, 95% CI 1.01-1.12; p = 0.018), and Attitudes Towards Life-Sustaining Treatments Scale scores (OR 0.91 per 1 point increase, 95% CI 0.88-0.95; p<0.001) as variables independently associated with ADs. CONCLUSIONS Age, prior advance care planning discussion with a physician, palliative care knowledge, and attitudes towards life-sustaining treatments were independently associated with ADs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya Gupta
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Bridget J. Chen
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Deji Suolang
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Rachel Cooper
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Roland Faigle
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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Rocha Tardelli N, Neves Forte D, de Oliveira Vidal EI. Advance Care Planning in Brazil. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR EVIDENZ, FORTBILDUNG UND QUALITAT IM GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2023; 180:43-49. [PMID: 37380546 DOI: 10.1016/j.zefq.2023.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Brazil is a country of continental size marked by extreme social inequalities. Its regulation of Advance Directives (AD) was not enacted by law but within the scope of the norms that govern the relationships between patients and physicians, as a resolution of the Federal Medical Council without any specific requirement for notarization. Despite this innovative starting point, most of the debate regarding Advance Care Planning (ACP) in Brazil has been dominated by a legal transactional approach focused on making decisions in advance and the creation of AD. Yet, other novel ACP models have recently emerged in the country with a focus on the creation of a specific quality of relationship between patients, families, and physicians aiming at the facilitating future decision-making. Most of the education on ACP in Brazil happens in the context of palliative care courses. As such, most ACP conversations are performed within palliative care services or by healthcare professionals with training in that area. Hence, the scarce access to palliative care services in the country means that ACP is still rare and that those conversations usually happen late in the course of disease. The authors posit that the existing paternalistic healthcare culture is one of the most important barriers to ACP in Brazil and envision with great concern the risk that its combination with extreme health inequalities and the lack of healthcare professionals' education on shared decision-making could lead to the misuse of ACP as a form of coercive practice to reduce healthcare use by vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Rocha Tardelli
- Geriatrics division, Internal Medicine Department, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Daniel Neves Forte
- Emergency Department, University of São Paulo (USP) Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil; Research and Teaching Institute, Sírio-Libanês Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edison Iglesias de Oliveira Vidal
- Geriatrics division, Internal Medicine Department, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
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Levoy K, Sullivan SS, Chittams J, Myers RL, Hickman SE, Meghani SH. Don't Throw the Baby Out With the Bathwater: Meta-Analysis of Advance Care Planning and End-of-life Cancer Care. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 65:e715-e743. [PMID: 36764411 PMCID: PMC10192153 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT There is ongoing discourse about the impact of advance care planning (ACP) on end-of-life (EOL) care. No meta-analysis exists to clarify ACP's impact on patients with cancer. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between, and moderators of, ACP and aggressive vs. comfort-focused EOL care outcomes among patients with cancer. METHODS Five databases were searched for peer-reviewed observational/experimental ACP-specific studies that were published between 1990-2022 that focused on samples of patients with cancer. Odds ratios were pooled to estimate overall effects using inverse variance weighting. RESULTS Of 8,673 articles, 21 met criteria, representing 33,541 participants and 68 effect sizes (54 aggressive, 14 comfort-focused). ACP was associated with significantly lower odds of chemotherapy, intensive care, hospital admissions, hospice use fewer than seven days, hospital death, and aggressive care composite measures. ACP was associated with 1.51 times greater odds of do-not-resuscitate orders. Other outcomes-cardiopulmonary resuscitation, emergency department admissions, mechanical ventilation, and hospice use-were not impacted. Tests of moderation revealed that the communication components of ACP produced greater reductions in the odds of hospital admissions compared to other components of ACP (e.g., documents); and, observational studies, not experimental, produced greater odds of hospice use. CONCLUSION This meta-analysis demonstrated mixed evidence of the association between ACP and EOL cancer care, where tests of moderation suggested that the communication components of ACP carry more weight in influencing outcomes. Further disease-specific efforts to clarify models and components of ACP that work and matter to patients and caregivers will advance the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Levoy
- Department of Community and Health Systems (K.L., R.L.M., S.E.H.), Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, Indiana; Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute (K.L., S.E.H.), Indianapolis, Indiana; Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (K.L., S.E.H.), Indianapolis, Indiana.
| | - Suzanne S Sullivan
- School of Nursing (S.S.S.), University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York
| | - Jesse Chittams
- BECCA (Biostatistics, Evaluation, Collaboration, Consultation & Analysis) Lab, Office of Nursing Research (J.C.), University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ruth L Myers
- Department of Community and Health Systems (K.L., R.L.M., S.E.H.), Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Susan E Hickman
- Department of Community and Health Systems (K.L., R.L.M., S.E.H.), Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, Indiana; Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute (K.L., S.E.H.), Indianapolis, Indiana; Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (K.L., S.E.H.), Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Salimah H Meghani
- NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences (S.H.M.), University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (S.H.M.), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Patient-physician conversations about life-sustaining treatment: Treatment preferences and participant assessments. Palliat Support Care 2023; 21:20-26. [PMID: 36814149 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951521001875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In 2019, the Danish parliament issued legislation requiring Danish physicians to clarify and honor seriously ill patients' treatment preferences. The American POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) document could be a valuable model for this process. The aim of the study was to examine patients' preferences for life-sustaining treatment and participant assessment of a Danish POLST form. METHODS The study is a prospective intervention based on a pilot-tested Danish POLST form. Participant assessments were examined using questionnaire surveys. Patients with serious illness and/or frailty from seven hospital wards, two general practitioners, and four nursing homes were included. The patients and their physicians completed the POLST form based on a process of shared decision-making. RESULTS A total of 95 patients (aged 41-95) participated. Hereof, 88% declined cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 83% preferred limited medical interventions or comfort care, and 74% did not require artificial nutrition. The preferences were similar within age groups, genders, and locations, but with a tendency toward younger patients being more in favor of full treatment and nursing home residents being more in favor of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Questionnaire response rates were 69% (66/95) for patients, 79% (22/28) for physicians, and 31% (9/29) for nurses. Hereof, the majority of patients, physicians, and nurses found that the POLST form was usable for conversations and decision-making about life-sustaining treatment to either a high or very high degree. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS The majority of seriously ill patients did not want a resuscitation attempt and opted for selected treatments. The majority of participants found that the Danish POLST was usable for conversations and decisions about life-sustaining treatment to either a high or a very high degree, and that the POLST form facilitated an opportunity to openly discuss life-sustaining treatment.
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Earp MA, Fassbender K, King S, Douglas M, Biondo P, Brisebois A, Davison SN, Sia W, Wasylenko E, Esau L, Simon J. Association between Goals of Care Designation orders and health care resource use among seriously ill older adults in acute care: a multicentre prospective cohort study. CMAJ Open 2022; 10:E945-E955. [PMID: 36319025 PMCID: PMC9633054 DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20210155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Goals of Care Designation (GCD) is a medical order used to communicate the focus of a patient's care in Alberta, Canada. In this study, we aimed to determine the association between GCD type (resuscitative, medical or comfort) and resource use during hospitalization. METHODS This was a prospective cohort study of newly hospitalized inpatients in Alberta conducted from January to September 2017. Participants were aged 55 years or older with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, cancer or renal failure; aged 55-79 years and their provider answered "no" to the "surprise question" (i.e., provider would not be surprised if the patient died in the next 6 months); or aged 80 years or older with any acute condition. The exposure of interest was GCD. The primary outcome was health care resource use during admission, measured by length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit hours, Resource Intensity Weights (RIWs), flagged interventions and palliative care referral. The secondary outcome was 30-day readmission. Adjusted regression analyses were performed (adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, Clinical Frailty Scale score, comorbidities and city). RESULTS We included 475 study participants. The median age was 83 (interquartile range 77-87) years, and 93.7% had a GCD at enrolment. Relative to patients with the resuscitative GCD type, patients with the medical GCD type had a longer LOS (1.42 times, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.83) and a higher RIW (adjusted ratio 1.14, 95% CI 1.02-1.28). Patients with the comfort and medical GCD types had more palliative care referral (comfort GCD adjusted relative risk (RR) 9.32, 95% CI 4.32-20.08; medical GCD adjusted RR 3.58, 95% CI 1.75-7.33) but not flagged intervention use (comfort GCD adjusted RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.49-2.28; medical GCD adjusted RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.48-2.02) or 30-day readmission (comfort GCD adjusted RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.85-1.19; medical GCD adjusted RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.97-1.20). INTERPRETATION Goals of Care Designation type early during admission was associated with LOS, RIW and palliative care referral. This suggests an alignment between health resource use and the focus of care communicated by each GCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalene A Earp
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Earp), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Fassbender), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre; Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology (Fassbender), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Community Health Sciences (King), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Douglas), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Douglas), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Biondo), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Medicine and Oncology (Palliative Care) (Brisebois) and Department of Medicine (Davison, Sia), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Wasylenko), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (Wasylenko), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services, South Zone Seniors Health Integrated Home Care/Palliative Care (Esau), Edmonton, Alta.; Departments of Oncology, Medicine and Community Health Sciences (Simon), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta
| | - Konrad Fassbender
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Earp), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Fassbender), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre; Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology (Fassbender), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Community Health Sciences (King), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Douglas), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Douglas), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Biondo), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Medicine and Oncology (Palliative Care) (Brisebois) and Department of Medicine (Davison, Sia), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Wasylenko), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (Wasylenko), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services, South Zone Seniors Health Integrated Home Care/Palliative Care (Esau), Edmonton, Alta.; Departments of Oncology, Medicine and Community Health Sciences (Simon), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta
| | - Seema King
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Earp), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Fassbender), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre; Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology (Fassbender), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Community Health Sciences (King), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Douglas), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Douglas), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Biondo), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Medicine and Oncology (Palliative Care) (Brisebois) and Department of Medicine (Davison, Sia), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Wasylenko), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (Wasylenko), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services, South Zone Seniors Health Integrated Home Care/Palliative Care (Esau), Edmonton, Alta.; Departments of Oncology, Medicine and Community Health Sciences (Simon), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta
| | - Maureen Douglas
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Earp), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Fassbender), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre; Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology (Fassbender), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Community Health Sciences (King), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Douglas), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Douglas), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Biondo), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Medicine and Oncology (Palliative Care) (Brisebois) and Department of Medicine (Davison, Sia), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Wasylenko), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (Wasylenko), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services, South Zone Seniors Health Integrated Home Care/Palliative Care (Esau), Edmonton, Alta.; Departments of Oncology, Medicine and Community Health Sciences (Simon), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta
| | - Patricia Biondo
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Earp), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Fassbender), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre; Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology (Fassbender), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Community Health Sciences (King), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Douglas), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Douglas), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Biondo), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Medicine and Oncology (Palliative Care) (Brisebois) and Department of Medicine (Davison, Sia), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Wasylenko), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (Wasylenko), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services, South Zone Seniors Health Integrated Home Care/Palliative Care (Esau), Edmonton, Alta.; Departments of Oncology, Medicine and Community Health Sciences (Simon), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta
| | - Amanda Brisebois
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Earp), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Fassbender), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre; Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology (Fassbender), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Community Health Sciences (King), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Douglas), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Douglas), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Biondo), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Medicine and Oncology (Palliative Care) (Brisebois) and Department of Medicine (Davison, Sia), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Wasylenko), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (Wasylenko), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services, South Zone Seniors Health Integrated Home Care/Palliative Care (Esau), Edmonton, Alta.; Departments of Oncology, Medicine and Community Health Sciences (Simon), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta
| | - Sara N Davison
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Earp), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Fassbender), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre; Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology (Fassbender), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Community Health Sciences (King), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Douglas), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Douglas), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Biondo), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Medicine and Oncology (Palliative Care) (Brisebois) and Department of Medicine (Davison, Sia), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Wasylenko), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (Wasylenko), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services, South Zone Seniors Health Integrated Home Care/Palliative Care (Esau), Edmonton, Alta.; Departments of Oncology, Medicine and Community Health Sciences (Simon), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta
| | - Winnie Sia
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Earp), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Fassbender), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre; Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology (Fassbender), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Community Health Sciences (King), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Douglas), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Douglas), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Biondo), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Medicine and Oncology (Palliative Care) (Brisebois) and Department of Medicine (Davison, Sia), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Wasylenko), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (Wasylenko), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services, South Zone Seniors Health Integrated Home Care/Palliative Care (Esau), Edmonton, Alta.; Departments of Oncology, Medicine and Community Health Sciences (Simon), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta
| | - Eric Wasylenko
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Earp), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Fassbender), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre; Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology (Fassbender), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Community Health Sciences (King), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Douglas), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Douglas), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Biondo), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Medicine and Oncology (Palliative Care) (Brisebois) and Department of Medicine (Davison, Sia), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Wasylenko), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (Wasylenko), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services, South Zone Seniors Health Integrated Home Care/Palliative Care (Esau), Edmonton, Alta.; Departments of Oncology, Medicine and Community Health Sciences (Simon), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta
| | - LeAnn Esau
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Earp), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Fassbender), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre; Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology (Fassbender), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Community Health Sciences (King), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Douglas), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Douglas), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Biondo), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Medicine and Oncology (Palliative Care) (Brisebois) and Department of Medicine (Davison, Sia), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Wasylenko), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (Wasylenko), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services, South Zone Seniors Health Integrated Home Care/Palliative Care (Esau), Edmonton, Alta.; Departments of Oncology, Medicine and Community Health Sciences (Simon), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta
| | - Jessica Simon
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Earp), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Fassbender), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre; Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology (Fassbender), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Department of Community Health Sciences (King), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Douglas), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Covenant Health Palliative Institute (Douglas), Grey Nuns Community Hospital, St. Marguerite Health Services Centre, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Biondo), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; Department of Medicine and Oncology (Palliative Care) (Brisebois) and Department of Medicine (Davison, Sia), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology (Wasylenko), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.; John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (Wasylenko), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.; Alberta Health Services, South Zone Seniors Health Integrated Home Care/Palliative Care (Esau), Edmonton, Alta.; Departments of Oncology, Medicine and Community Health Sciences (Simon), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.
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Koto T, Kurihara Y, Shoji M, Meguro K. Avoiding surgery in patients with dementia: is it the correct management? Dement Neuropsychol 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1980-5764-dn-2021-0120] [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
ABSTRACT. Although hospitalization for dementia is increasing, Japanese doctors often refrain from surgeries considering dementia. A woman in her 80s diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease was admitted to hospital for cholelithiasis. Due to the avoidance of surgery, the inflammation was prolonged and therefore she was unable to eat. Later, she was discharged with central venous nutrition. The care burden on family resulted in her readmission to another hospital. Eventually, the inflammation was alleviated, and she was able to eat. However, it took a long time. In this study, we not only emphasize the risks but also focus on the benefits to postoperative rehabilitation. We also discuss about the benefits of invasive procedures in patients with dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kenichi Meguro
- Tohoku University, Japan; Tohoku University, Japan; Tohoku University, Japan
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13
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Brucki SMD, Aprahamian I, Borelli WV, Silveira VCD, Ferretti CEDL, Smid J, Barbosa BJAP, Schilling LP, Balthazar MLF, Frota NAF, Souza LCD, Vale FAC, Caramelli P, Bertolucci PHF, Chaves MLF, Nitrini R, Schultz RR, Morillo LS. Management in severe dementia: recommendations of the Scientific Department of Cognitive Neurology and Aging of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology. Dement Neuropsychol 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1980-5764-dn-2022-s107en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative dementias have a progressive course, impairing cognition, functional capacity, and behavior. Most studies have focused on AD. Severe dementia is associated with increased age, higher morbidity-mortality, and rising costs of care. It is fundamental to recognize that severe dementia is the longest period of progression, with patients living for many years in this stage. It is the most heterogeneous phase in the process, with different abilities and life expectancies. This practice guideline focuses on severe dementia to improve management and care in this stage of dementia. As it is a long period in the continuum of dementia, clinical practice should consider non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches. Multidisciplinary interventions (physical therapy, speech therapy, nutrition, nursing, and others) are essential, besides educational and support to caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ivan Aprahamian
- Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, Brasil; University of Groningen, The Netherlands; Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | - Breno José Alencar Pires Barbosa
- Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brasil; Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira, Brasil
| | - Lucas Porcello Schilling
- Pontifícia Universidade do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil; Pontifícia Universidade do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil; Pontifícia Universidade do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
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14
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Brucki SMD, Aprahamian I, Borelli WV, Silveira VCD, Ferretti CEDL, Smid J, Barbosa BJAP, Schilling LP, Balthazar MLF, Frota NAF, Souza LCD, Vale FAC, Caramelli P, Bertolucci PHF, Chaves MLF, Nitrini R, Schultz RR, Morillo LS. Manejo das demências em fase avançada: recomendações do Departamento Científico de Neurologia Cognitiva e do Envelhecimento da Academia Brasileira de Neurologia. Dement Neuropsychol 2022; 16:101-120. [DOI: 10.1590/1980-5764-dn-2022-s107pt] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
RESUMO A doença de Alzheimer (DA) e outras demências neurodegenerativas têm um curso progressivo com comprometimento da cognição, capacidade funcional e comportamento. A maioria dos estudos enfocou a DA. A demência grave está associada ao aumento da idade, maior morbimortalidade e aumento dos custos de cuidados. É fundamental reconhecer que a demência grave é o período mais longo de progressão, com o paciente vivendo muitos anos nesta fase. É a fase mais heterogênea do processo, com diferentes habilidades e expectativa de vida. Esta diretriz de prática concentra-se na demência grave para melhorar o manejo e o cuidado nessa fase da demência. Como um longo período no continuum da demência, as abordagens não farmacológicas e farmacológicas devem ser consideradas. Intervenções multidisciplinares (fisioterapia, fonoaudiologia, nutrição, enfermagem, entre outras) são essenciais, além de educacionais e de apoio aos cuidadores.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ivan Aprahamian
- Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, Brasil; University of Groningen, The Netherlands; Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | - Breno José Alencar Pires Barbosa
- Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brasil; Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira, Brasil
| | - Lucas Porcello Schilling
- Pontifícia Universidade do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil; Pontifícia Universidade do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil; Pontifícia Universidade do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
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Wong SPY, Foglia MB, Cohen J, Oestreich T, O'Hare AM. The VA Life-Sustaining Treatment Decisions Initiative: A qualitative analysis of veterans with advanced kidney disease. J Am Geriatr Soc 2022; 70:2517-2529. [PMID: 35435246 PMCID: PMC9790645 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Documentation of patients' goals of care is integral to promoting goal-concordant care. In 2017, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched a system-wide initiative to standardize documentation of patients' preferences for life-sustaining treatments (LST) and related goals-of-care conversations (GoCC) that included using a note template in its national electronic medical record system. We describe implementation of the LST note based on documentation in the medical records of patients with advanced kidney disease, a group that has traditionally experienced highly intensive patterns of care. METHODS We performed a qualitative analysis of documentation in the VA electronic medical record for a national random sample of 500 adults with advanced kidney disease for whom at least one LST note was completed between July 2018 and March 2019 to identify prominent themes pertaining to the content and context of LST notes. RESULTS During the observation period, a total of 723 (mean 1.5, range 1-6) LST notes were completed for this cohort. Two themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Reactive approach: LST notes were largely completed in response to medical crises, in which they focused on short-term goals and preferences rather than patients' broader health and goals, or certain clinical encounters designated by the initiative as "triggering events" for LST note completion; (2) Practitioner-driven: Documentation suggested that practitioners would attempt to engage patients/surrogates in GoCC to lay out treatment options in order to move care forward, but patients/surrogates sometimes appeared reluctant to engage in GoCC and had difficulty communicating in ways that practitioners could understand. CONCLUSIONS Standardized documentation of patients' treatment preferences and related GoCC was used to inform in-the-moment decision-making during acute illness and certain junctures in care. There is opportunity to expand standardized documentation practices and related GoCC to address patients'/surrogates' broader health concerns and goals and to enhance their engagement in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan P. Y. Wong
- Division of NephrologyVA Puget Sound Health Care SystemSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Mary Beth Foglia
- VA National Center for Ethics in Health CareSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Jennifer Cohen
- VA National Center for Ethics in Health CareSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Taryn Oestreich
- Division of NephrologyVA Puget Sound Health Care SystemSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Ann M. O'Hare
- Division of NephrologyVA Puget Sound Health Care SystemSeattleWashingtonUSA
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Kim D, Kim S, Lee KH, Han SH. Use of antimicrobial agents in actively dying inpatients after suspension of life-sustaining treatments: Suggestion for antimicrobial stewardship. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2022; 55:651-661. [PMID: 35365408 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of antimicrobial treatment in end-of-life care has been controversial, whether antibiotics have beneficial effects on comfort and prolonged survival or long-term harmful effects on increasing antimicrobial resistance. We assessed the use of antimicrobial agents and factors associated with de-escalation in inpatients who suspended life-sustaining treatments (SLST) and immediately died. METHODS We included 1296 (74.7%) inpatients who died within 7 days after SLST out of 1734 patients who consented to SLST on their own or family's initiative following a decision by two physicians, observing the "Life-sustaining Treatment Decision Act" between January 2020 and December 2020 at two teaching hospitals. De-escalation was defined as changing to narrower spectrum anti-bacterial drugs or stopping ≥ one antibiotic of combined treatment. RESULTS 90.6% of total patients received anti-bacterial agents, particularly a combination treatment in 60.1% and use of ≥ three drugs in 18.2% of them. Antifungal and antiviral drugs were administered to 12.6% and 3.3% of the patients on SLST, respectively. Antibacterial and antifungal agents were withdrawn in only 8.3% and 1.3% of the patients after SLST, respectively. Anti-bacterial de-escalation was performed in 17.0% of patients, but 43.6% of them received more or broad-spectrum antibiotics after SLST. In multivariate regression, longer hospital stays before SLST, initiation of SLST in the intensive care unit, and cardiovascular diseases were independently associated with anti-bacterial de-escalation after SLST. CONCLUSIONS The intervention for substantial antibiotic use in patients on SLST should be carefully considered as antimicrobial stewardship after decision by the will of the patient and proxy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayeong Kim
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Subin Kim
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Hwa Lee
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Han
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Dignam C, Brown M, Horwood C, Thompson CH. The impact of standardised goals of care documentation on the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit admissions in older patients: a retrospective observational analysis. AUST HEALTH REV 2022; 46:325-330. [PMID: 35508418 DOI: 10.1071/ah21321] [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: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundIn South Australian hospitals, 'Do Not Resuscitate' orders have been replaced by '7-Step Pathway Acute Resuscitation Plans', a standardised form and approach that encourages shared decision-making while providing staff with clarity about goals of care. This initiative has led to increased rates of documentation about treatment preferences, including 'Not-For-Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation'.AimTo quantify any effect of the 7-Step Pathway form versus previous 'Do Not Resuscitate' orders on cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, and/or intensive care unit admission during hospitalisation.MethodsWe completed a retrospective, observational study in two Australian tertiary hospitals using interrupted time-series analysis. We examined the number of medical inpatients aged 70 years and over who received one or more Intensive Treatments-cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, or intensive care unit admission-in the 2 years before and 2 years after the introduction of the form.ResultsThere were 2759 Intensive Treatments across 66 051 inpatient admissions; 1304/32 489 (4.0%) pre-intervention and 1455/33 562 post-intervention (4.3%). Sub-group analysis of those who died in hospital showed 400/1669 (24%) received Intensive Treatments pre-intervention and 382/1624 post-intervention (24%). Interrupted time-series analysis suggested that the intervention did not significantly alter Intensive Treatments over time at Hospital 1 and was associated with a significant slowing of the already decreasing use of Intensive Treatments at Hospital 2. Among patients who died in hospital, there was minimal change at either site.ConclusionsThere was no reduction in Intensive Treatments in older medical inpatients following the introduction of standardised goals of care documentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colette Dignam
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Corner of George Street and North Terrace, SA 5000, Australia; and General Medicine Department, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Port Road, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Margaret Brown
- Justice and Society, University of SA, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Chris Horwood
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA 5034, Australia
| | - Campbell H Thompson
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Corner of George Street and North Terrace, SA 5000, Australia; and General Medicine Department, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Port Road, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
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Nakagawa S, Blinderman CD. Advancing goals and values, not advance care planning. J Am Geriatr Soc 2022; 70:1895-1897. [PMID: 35332525 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shunichi Nakagawa
- Adult Palliative Care Services, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Craig D Blinderman
- Adult Palliative Care Services, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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Jennings LA, Wenger NS, Liang LJ, Parikh P, Powell D, Escarce JJ, Zingmond D. Care preferences in physician orders for life sustaining treatment in California nursing homes. J Am Geriatr Soc 2022; 70:2040-2050. [PMID: 35275398 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) facilitates documentation and transition of patients' life-sustaining treatment orders across care settings. Little is known about patient and facility factors related to care preferences within POLST across a large, diverse nursing home population. We describe the orders within POLST among all nursing home (NH) residents in California from 2011 to 2016. METHODS California requires NHs to document in the Minimum Data Set whether residents complete a POLST and orders within POLST. Using a serial cross-sectional design for each year, we describe POLST completion and orders for all California NH residents from 2011 to 2016 (N = 1,112,668). We used logistic mixed-effects regression models to estimate POLST completion and resuscitation orders to understand the relationship with resident and facility characteristics, including Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Nursing Home Compare overall five-star quality rating. RESULTS POLST completion significantly increased from 2011 to 2016 with most residents having a POLST in 2016 (short-stay:68%; long-stay:81%). Among those with a POLST in 2016, 54% of long-stay and 41% of short-stay residents had a DNR order. Among residents with DNR, >90% had orders for limited medical interventions or comfort measures. Few residents (<6%) had a POLST with contradictory orders. In regression analyses, POLST completion was greater among residents with more functional dependence, but was lower among those with more cognitive impairment. Greater functional and cognitive impairment were associated with DNR orders. Racial and ethnic minorities indicated more aggressive care preferences. Higher CMS five-star facility quality rating was associated with greater POLST completion. CONCLUSIONS Six years after a state mandate to document POLST completion in NHs, most California NH residents have a POLST, and about half of long-stay residents have orders to limit life-sustaining treatment. Future work should focus on determining the quality of care preference decisions documented in POLST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee A Jennings
- Reynolds Section of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Neil S Wenger
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Li-Jung Liang
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Punam Parikh
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Jose J Escarce
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - David Zingmond
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Biller-Andorno N, Ferrario A, Joebges S, Krones T, Massini F, Barth P, Arampatzis G, Krauthammer M. AI support for ethical decision-making around resuscitation: proceed with care. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2022; 48:175-183. [PMID: 33687916 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2020-106786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are increasingly being used in healthcare, thanks to the high level of performance that these systems have proven to deliver. So far, clinical applications have focused on diagnosis and on prediction of outcomes. It is less clear in what way AI can or should support complex clinical decisions that crucially depend on patient preferences. In this paper, we focus on the ethical questions arising from the design, development and deployment of AI systems to support decision-making around cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the determination of a patient's Do Not Attempt to Resuscitate status (also known as code status). The COVID-19 pandemic has made us keenly aware of the difficulties physicians encounter when they have to act quickly in stressful situations without knowing what their patient would have wanted. We discuss the results of an interview study conducted with healthcare professionals in a university hospital aimed at understanding the status quo of resuscitation decision processes while exploring a potential role for AI systems in decision-making around code status. Our data suggest that (1) current practices are fraught with challenges such as insufficient knowledge regarding patient preferences, time pressure and personal bias guiding care considerations and (2) there is considerable openness among clinicians to consider the use of AI-based decision support. We suggest a model for how AI can contribute to improve decision-making around resuscitation and propose a set of ethically relevant preconditions-conceptual, methodological and procedural-that need to be considered in further development and implementation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Biller-Andorno
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, Universität Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Collegium Helveticum, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Ferrario
- Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Joebges
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, Universität Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Krones
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, Universität Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Clinical Ethics, Universitätsspital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Federico Massini
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, Universität Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Collegium Helveticum, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Phyllis Barth
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, Universität Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Collegium Helveticum, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Georgios Arampatzis
- Collegium Helveticum, Zurich, Switzerland
- Computational Science and Engineering Laboratory, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Krauthammer
- Department of Quantitative Biomedicine, Chair of Medical Informatics, Universität Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Tuesen LD, Ågård AS, Bülow HH, Fromme EK, Jensen HI. Decision-making conversations for life-sustaining treatment with seriously ill patients using a Danish version of the US POLST: a qualitative study of patient and physician experiences. Scand J Prim Health Care 2022; 40:57-66. [PMID: 35148663 PMCID: PMC9090401 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2022.2036481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore patients' and physicians' perspectives on a decision-making conversation for life-sustaining treatment, based on the Danish model of the American Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form. DESIGN Semi-structured interviews following a conversation about preferences for life-sustaining treatment. SETTING Danish hospitals, nursing homes, and general practitioners' clinics. SUBJECTS Patients and physicians. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Qualitative analyses of interview data. FINDINGS After participating in a conversation about life-sustaining treatment using the Danish POLST form, a total of six patients and five physicians representing different settings and age groups participated in an interview about their experience of the process. Within the main research questions, six subthemes were identified: Timing, relatives are key persons, clarifying treatment preferences, documentation across settings, strengthening patient autonomy, and structure influences conversations. Most patients and physicians found having a conversation about levels of life-sustaining treatment valuable but also complicated due to the different levels of knowledge and attending to individual patient needs and medical necessities. Relatives were considered as key persons to ensure the understanding of the treatment trajectory and the ability to advocate for the patient in case of a medical crisis. The majority of participants found that the conversation strengthened patient autonomy. CONCLUSION Patients and physicians found having a conversation about levels of life-sustaining treatment valuable, especially for strengthening patient autonomy. Relatives were considered key persons. The timing of the conversation and securing sufficient knowledge for shared decision-making were the main perceived challenges.KEY POINTSConversations about preferences for life-sustaining treatment are important, but not performed systematically.When planning a conversation about preferences for life-sustaining treatment, the timing of the conversation and the inclusion of relatives are key elements.Decision-making conversations can help patients feel in charge and less alone, and make it easier for health professionals to provide goal-concordant care.Using a model like the Danish POLST form may help to initiate, conduct and structure conversations about preferences for life-sustaining treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lone Doris Tuesen
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Vejle and Middelfart Hospitals, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- CONTACT Lone Doris Tuesen Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Vejle and Middelfart Hospitals, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Beriderbakken 4, Vejle, 7100, Denmark
| | - Anne Sophie Ågård
- Department of Intensive Care, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Public Health-Nursing, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Hans-Henrik Bülow
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Holbaek Hospital, Holbaek, Denmark
| | - Erik K. Fromme
- Ariadne Labs, A Joint Center for Health Systems Innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hanne Irene Jensen
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Vejle and Middelfart Hospitals, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Tuesen LD, Bülow HH, Ågård AS, Strøm SM, Fromme E, Jensen HI. Discussing patient preferences for levels of life-sustaining treatment: development and pilot testing of a Danish POLST form. BMC Palliat Care 2022; 21:9. [PMID: 35016665 PMCID: PMC8749111 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-021-00892-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medically frail and/or chronically ill patients are often admitted to Danish hospitals without documentation of patient preferences. This may lead to inappropriate care. Modelled on the American Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form, the purpose of the study was to develop and pilot test a Danish POLST form to ensure that patients' preferences for levels of life-sustaining treatment are known and documented. METHODS The study was a mixed methods study. In the initial phase, a Danish POLST form was developed on the basis of literature and recommendations from the National POLST organisation in the US. A pilot test of the Danish POLST form was conducted in hospital wards, general practitioners' clinics, and nursing homes. Patients were eligible for inclusion if death was assessed as likely within 12 months. The patient and his/her physician engaged in a conversation where patient values, beliefs, goals for care, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment alternatives were discussed. The POLST form was completed based on the patient's values and preferences. Family members and/or nursing staff could participate. Participants' assessments of the POLST form were evaluated using questionnaires, and in-depth interviews were conducted to explore experiences with the POLST form and the conversation. RESULTS In total, 25 patients participated, 45 questionnaires were completed and 14 interviews were conducted. Most participants found the POLST form readable and understandable, and 93% found the POLST form usable to a high or very high degree for discussing preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment. Three themes emerged from the interviews: (a) an understandable document is essential for the conversation, (b) handling and discussing wishes, and (c) significance for the future. CONCLUSION The Danish version of the POLST form is assessed by patients, families, physicians, and nurses as a useful model for obtaining and documenting Danish patients' preferences for life-sustaining treatment. However, this needs to be confirmed in a larger-scale study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lone Doris Tuesen
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Vejle and Middelfart Hospitals, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Beriderbakken 4, DK-7100, Vejle, Denmark.
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B.Winsløwsvej 19, DK-5000, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Hans-Henrik Bülow
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital Holbaek, Holbaek, Denmark
| | - Anne Sophie Ågård
- Department of Intensive Care, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 100, DK-8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Erik Fromme
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Hanne Irene Jensen
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Vejle and Middelfart Hospitals, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Beriderbakken 4, DK-7100, Vejle, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B.Winsløwsvej 19, DK-5000, Odense, Denmark
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Baik SM, Park J, Kim TY, Lee JH, Hong KS. The Future Direction of the Organ Donation System After Legislation of the Life-Sustaining Treatment Decision Act. Ann Transplant 2021; 26:e934345. [PMID: 34811342 PMCID: PMC8626983 DOI: 10.12659/aot.934345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The transplant community is seeking ways to encourage organ donation after cardiac arrest to solve the problem of the insufficiency of organs available for the increasing number of people awaiting transplantation. This study aimed to determine whether the life-sustaining treatment (LST) decision system, implemented in Korea on February 4, 2018, can address the shortage of organ donations. Material/Methods We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of the 442 patients who had filled out forms for the LST decision at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital from April 2018 to December 2019, and classified the eligibility of organ and tissue donation according to the Korean Organ Donation Agency criteria. Results We included 442 patients in this study. Among them, 238 (53.8%) were men, and 204 (46.2%) were women. The average age of the patients was 71.8 years (the youngest and oldest were aged 23 years and 103 years, respectively). Of these, 110 patients (24.9%) decided on their own to discontinue LST, whereas 332 (75.1%) decided to discontinue with their family’s consent. This study demonstrated that 50% of patients who were not brain-dead and discontinued LST were eligible for organ donation. However, the patients and caregivers were not aware of this option because the current law does not allow the discussion of such donations. Conclusions A discussion regarding donation after circulatory death is recommended to solve the problem of insufficient organ donation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Min Baik
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Surgery, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin Park
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Neurology, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Ewha Women's University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tae Yoon Kim
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Surgery, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung Hwa Lee
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Neurology, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyung Sook Hong
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Surgery, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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24
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Takacs SM, Comer AR. Documentation of advance care planning forms in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve 2021; 65:187-192. [PMID: 34787317 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive weakness. Survival is typically only a few years from symptom onset. The often-predictable disease course creates opportunities to complete advance care planning (ACP) forms. The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) is a broadly used ACP paradigm to communicate end-of-life wishes but has not been well-studied in the ALS population. METHODS In this retrospective chart review study, patients diagnosed with ALS seen between 2014 and 2018 at an academic ALS center were identified. Demographic information, clinical characteristics, and ACP data were collected. RESULTS Of 513 patients identified, 30% had an ACP document. POLST forms were competed in 16.6% of patients with 73.8% of forms signed by a neurologist. Only 5.1% of patients saw a palliative care physician. Palliative care consultation was associated with having an POLST on file (P < .001). Patients with completed POLST forms were significantly more likely to have been seen in clinic more frequently (P < .001) and have a lower ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised score on last visit (P = .005). DISCUSSION Less than one third of patients with ALS completed an ACP document, and only a small percentage completed POLST forms. The data suggest a need for greater documentation of goals of care in the ALS population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Takacs
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Amber R Comer
- Department of Health Sciences, Indiana University School of Health and Human Sciences, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Vranas KC, Plinke W, Bourne D, Kansagara D, Lee RY, Kross EK, Slatore CG, Sullivan DR. The influence of POLST on treatment intensity at the end of life: A systematic review. J Am Geriatr Soc 2021; 69:3661-3674. [PMID: 34549418 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite its widespread implementation, it is unclear whether Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) are safe and improve the delivery of care that patients desire. We sought to systematically review the influence of POLST on treatment intensity among patients with serious illness and/or frailty. METHODS We performed a systematic review of POLST and similar programs using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews, and PsycINFO, from inception through February 28, 2020. We included adults with serious illness and/or frailty with life expectancy <1 year. Primary outcomes included place of death and receipt of high-intensity treatment (i.e., hospitalization in the last 30- and 90-days of life, ICU admission in the last 30-days of life, and number of care setting transitions in last week of life). RESULTS Among 104,554 patients across 20 observational studies, 27,090 had POLST. No randomized controlled trials were identified. The mean age of POLST users was 78.7 years, 55.3% were female, and 93.0% were white. The majority of POLST users (55.3%) had orders for comfort measures only. Most studies showed that, compared to full treatment orders on POLST, treatment limitations were associated with decreased in-hospital death and receipt of high-intensity treatment, particularly in pre-hospital settings. However, in the acute care setting, a sizable number of patients likely received POLST-discordant care. The overall strength of evidence was moderate based on eight retrospective cohort studies of good quality that showed a consistent, similar direction of outcomes with moderate-to-large effect sizes. CONCLUSION We found moderate strength of evidence that treatment limitations on POLST may reduce treatment intensity among patients with serious illness. However, the evidence base is limited and demonstrates potential unintended consequences of POLST. We identify several important knowledge gaps that should be addressed to help maximize benefits and minimize risks of POLST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly C Vranas
- Health Services Research & Development, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.,Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Wesley Plinke
- Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Donald Bourne
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Devan Kansagara
- Health Services Research & Development, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA.,Division of General Internal Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Robert Y Lee
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Erin K Kross
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Christopher G Slatore
- Health Services Research & Development, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.,Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Donald R Sullivan
- Health Services Research & Development, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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Fu CJ, Agarwal M, Estrada LV, Murali KP, Quigley DD, Dick AW, Stone PW. The Role of Regional and State Initiatives in Nursing Home Advance Care Planning Policies. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2021; 38:1135-1141. [PMID: 33111537 PMCID: PMC8079519 DOI: 10.1177/1049909120970117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Antibiotic use at the end of life (EoL) may introduce physiological as well as psychological stress and be incongruent with patients' goals of care. Advance care planning (ACP) related to antibiotic use at the EoL helps improve goal-concordant care. Many nursing home (NH) residents are seriously ill. Therefore, we aimed to examine whether state and regional ACP initiatives play a role in the presence of "do not administer antibiotics" orders for NH residents at the EoL. METHODS We surveyed a random, representative national sample of 810 U.S. NHs (weighted n = 13,983). The NH survey included items on "do not administer antibiotics" orders in place and participation in infection prevention collaboratives. The survey was linked to state Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) adoption status and resident, facility, and county characteristics data. We conducted multivariable regression models with state fixed effects, stratified by state POLST designation. RESULTS NHs in mature POLST states reported higher rates of "do not administer antibiotics" orders compared to developing POLST states (10.1% vs. 4.6%, respectively, p = 0.004). In mature POLST states, participation in regional collaboratives and smaller NH facilities (<100 beds) were associated with having "do not administer antibiotics" orders for seriously ill residents (β = 0.11, p = 0.006 and β = 0.12, p = 0.003, respectively). DISCUSSION NHs in states with mature POLST adoption that participated in infection control collaboratives were more likely to have "do not administer antibiotics" orders. State ACP initiatives combined with regional antibiotic stewardship initiatives may improve inappropriate antibiotic use at the EoL for NH residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline J. Fu
- Columbia University School of Nursing, 560 West 168 Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mansi Agarwal
- Columbia University School of Nursing, 560 West 168 Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Leah V. Estrada
- Columbia University School of Nursing, 560 West 168 Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Komal P. Murali
- Columbia University School of Nursing, 560 West 168 Street, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Andrew W. Dick
- RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
| | - Patricia W. Stone
- Columbia University School of Nursing, 560 West 168 Street, New York, NY, USA
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Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment: The Clinical Nurse Specialist Can Help With That. CLIN NURSE SPEC 2021; 35:161-163. [PMID: 34077154 DOI: 10.1097/nur.0000000000000609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Master JF, Wu B, Ni P, Mao J. The Compliance of End-of-Life Care Preferences Among Older Adults and Its Facilitators and Barriers: A Scoping Review. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2021; 22:2273-2280.e2. [PMID: 34087224 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2021.05.007] [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: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the compliance of end-of-life (EOL) care preferences, and the facilitators and barriers of promoting quality of EOL care among older adults. DESIGN A scoping review was used to identify key themes in the compliance of EOL care preferences among older adults. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Studies published between 2009 and 2020 were identified from the Medline and Cochrane libraries. Eligible articles containing components related to the compliance of EOL care preferences among older adults were selected. MEASURES The eligible articles were thematically synthesized. Factors that affected the compliance of EOL care preferences among older adults were identified from the key components. RESULTS In total, 35 articles were included to identify the key components in the compliance of EOL care preferences: (1) supportive policy, (2) supportive environment, (3) cultural characteristics, (4) advance care planning (ACP), (5) the concordance of EOL care preferences between patients and surrogate decision makers, (6) prognosis awareness, and (7) patient's health status and the type of disease. Facilitators for the compliance of EOL care preferences included enactment of relevant policy, sufficient care institutions, the utilization of ACP, and poor health status. Barriers included lack of supportive policy, different culture, and low utilization of ACP. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS The compliance of EOL care preferences was low among older adults. The compliance of EOL care preferences can be improved through relevant policy development and the utilization of ACP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Fu Master
- School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Bei Wu
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing and NYU Aging Incubator, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ping Ni
- School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Jing Mao
- School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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Hickman SE, Steinberg K, Carney J, Lum HD. POLST Is More Than a Code Status Order Form: Suggestions for Appropriate POLST Use in Long-Term Care. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2021; 22:1672-1677. [PMID: 34029523 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2021.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is a medical order form used to document preferences about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), medical interventions such as hospitalization, care in the intensive care unit, and/or ventilation, as well as artificial nutrition. Programs based on the POLST paradigm are used in virtually every state under names that include POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment), MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment), and MOST (Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment), and these forms are used in the care of hundreds of thousands of geriatric patients every year. Although POLST is intended for persons who are at risk of a life-threatening clinical event due to a serious life-limiting medical condition, some nursing homes and residential care settings use POLST to document CPR preferences for all residents, resulting in potentially inappropriate use with patients who are ineligible because they are too healthy. This article focuses on reasons that POLST is used as a default code status order form, the risks associated with this practice, and recommendations for nursing homes to implement appropriate use of POLST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Hickman
- Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Karl Steinberg
- California State University, Institute for Palliative Care, Oceanside, CA, USA
| | - John Carney
- Center for Practical Bioethics, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Hillary D Lum
- VA Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, CO, USA; Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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Kim D, Yoo SH, Seo S, Lee HJ, Kim MS, Shin SJ, Lim CY, Kim DY, Heo DS, Lim CM. Analysis of Cancer Patient Decision-making and Health Service Utilization after Enforcement of the Life-Sustaining Treatment Decision-Making Act in Korea. Cancer Res Treat 2021; 54:20-29. [PMID: 33848413 PMCID: PMC8756111 DOI: 10.4143/crt.2021.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to confirm the decision-making patterns for life-sustaining treatment (LST) and analyze medical service utilization changes after enforcement of the Life-Sustaining Treatment Decision-Making Act. Materials and Methods Of 1,237 patients who completed legal forms for life-sustaining treatment (hereafter called the LST form) at three academic hospitals and died at the same institutions, 1,018 cancer patients were included. Medical service utilization and costs were analyzed using claims data. Results The median time to death from completion of the LST form was three days (range, 0 to 248 days). Of these, 517 people died within two days of completing the document, and 36.1% of all patients prepared the LST form themselves. The frequency of use of the intensive care unit, continuous renal replacement therapy, and mechanical ventilation was significantly higher when the families filled out the form without knowing the patient’s intention. In the top 10% of the medical expense groups, the decision-makers for LST were family members rather than patients (28% patients vs. 32% family members who knew and 40% family members who did not know the patient’s intention). Conclusion The cancer patient’s own decision-making rather than the family’s decision was associated with earlier decision-making, less use of some critical treatments (except chemotherapy) and expensive evaluations, and a trend toward lower medical costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalyong Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Shin Hye Yoo
- Center for Palliative Care and Clinical Ethics, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seyoung Seo
- Department of Oncology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Min Sun Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Joon Shin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Chi-Yeon Lim
- Department of Biostatistics, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Do Yeun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Dae Seog Heo
- Center for Palliative Care and Clinical Ethics, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chae-Man Lim
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Miller SC, Scott WJ, Ersek M, Levy C, Hogikyan R, Periyakoil VS, Carpenter JG, Cohen J, Foglia MB. Honoring Veterans' Preferences: The Association Between Comfort Care Goals and Care Received at the End of Life. J Pain Symptom Manage 2021; 61:743-754.e1. [PMID: 32911038 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.08.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT As part of its Life-Sustaining Treatment (LST) Decisions Initiative, the Veterans Health Administration (VA) in January 2017 began requiring electronic documentation of goals of care and preferences for Veterans with serious illness and at high risk for life-threatening events. OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether goals of "to be comfortable" were associated with greater palliative care (PC) use and lesser acute care use. METHODS We identified Veterans with VA inpatient or nursing home stays overlapping July 2018-January 2019, with LST templates documented by January 31, 2019, and who died by April 30, 2019 (N = 18,163). From template documentation, we identified a "to be comfortable" goal. Using VA and Medicare data, we determined PC use (consultations and hospice) and hospital, intensive care unit, and emergency department use 7 and 30 days before death. Multivariate logistic regression examined the associations of interest. RESULTS Sixty-four percent of the 18,163 Veterans had comfort-care goals; 80% with comfort care goals received hospice and 57% PC consultations (versus 57% and 46%, respectively, for decedents without comfort-care goals). In adjusted analyses, comfort care documented on the LST template prior to death was associated with significantly lower odds of hospital, intensive care unit, and emergency department use near the end of life. In the last 30 days of life, Veterans with a comfort care goal had 44% lower odds (adjusted odds ratio 0.57; 95% CI: 0.51, 0.63) of being hospitalized. CONCLUSION Findings support the VA's commitment to honoring of Veterans' preferences post introduction of its Life Sustaining Treatment Decisions Initiative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan C Miller
- Department of Health Services, Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
| | | | - Mary Ersek
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Cari Levy
- Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA; University of Colorado Anshutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Robert Hogikyan
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Vyjeynathi S Periyakoil
- VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, California, USA; Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Joan G Carpenter
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jennifer Cohen
- Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for Ethics in Health Care, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Mary Beth Foglia
- Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for Ethics in Health Care, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Hickman SE, Torke AM, Sachs GA, Sudore RL, Tang Q, Bakoyannis G, Heim Smith N, Myers AL, Hammes BJ. Factors associated with concordance between POLST orders and current treatment preferences. J Am Geriatr Soc 2021; 69:1865-1876. [PMID: 33760241 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND POLST is widely used to document the treatment preferences of nursing facility residents as orders, but it is unknown how well previously completed POLST orders reflect current preferences (concordance) and what factors are associated with concordance. OBJECTIVES To describe POLST preference concordance and identify factors associated with concordance. DESIGN Chart reviews to document existing POLST orders and interviews to elicit current treatment preferences. SETTING POLST-using nursing facilities (n = 29) in Indiana. PARTICIPANTS Nursing facility residents (n = 123) and surrogates of residents without decisional capacity (n = 152). MEASUREMENTS Concordance was determined by comparing existing POLST orders for resuscitation, medical interventions, and artificial nutrition with current treatment preferences. Comfort-focused POLSTs contained orders for do not resuscitate, comfort measures, and no artificial nutrition. RESULTS Overall, 55.7% (123/221) of residents and 44.7% (152/340) of surrogates participated (total n = 275). POLST concordance was 44%, but concordance was higher for comfort-focused POLSTs (68%) than for non-comfort-focused POLSTs (27%) (p < 0.001). In the unadjusted analysis, increasing resident age (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07, p < 0.01), better cognitive functioning (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.13, p < 0.01), surrogate as the decision-maker (OR 2.87, OR 1.73-4.75, p < 0.001), and comfort-focused POLSTs (OR 6.01, 95% CI 3.29-11.00, p < 0.01) were associated with concordance. In the adjusted multivariable model, only having an existing comfort-focused POLST was associated with higher odds of POLST concordance (OR 5.28, 95% CI 2.59-10.73, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Less than half of all POLST forms were concordant with current preferences, but POLST was over five times as likely to be concordant when orders reflected preferences for comfort-focused care. Findings suggest a clear need to improve the quality of POLST use in nursing facilities and focus its use among residents with stable, comfort-focused preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Hickman
- Department of Community & Health Systems, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Communication & Training (RESPECT) Signature Center, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Division of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Alexia M Torke
- Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Communication & Training (RESPECT) Signature Center, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Division of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Greg A Sachs
- Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Communication & Training (RESPECT) Signature Center, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Division of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Rebecca L Sudore
- Division of Geriatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Qing Tang
- Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Giorgos Bakoyannis
- Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Nicholette Heim Smith
- Department of Community & Health Systems, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Anne L Myers
- Department of Community & Health Systems, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Bernard J Hammes
- A Division of C-TAC Innovations, Respecting Choices, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Halpert KD, Ward K, Sloane PD. Improving Advance Care Planning Documentation Using Reminders to Patients and Physicians: A Longitudinal Study in Primary Care. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2021; 39:62-67. [PMID: 33754838 DOI: 10.1177/10499091211004890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Documenting advance care planning (ACP) in primary care requires multiple triggers. New Medicare codes make it easier for providers to bill for these encounters. This study examines the use of patient and provider reminders to trigger advance care planning discussions in a primary care practice. Secondary outcome was billing of new ACP billing codes. METHODS Patients 75 years and older scheduled for a primary care appointment were screened for recent ACP documentation in their chart. If none was found, an electronic or mail message was sent to the patient, and an electronic message to their provider, about the need to have discussion at the upcoming visit. Chart review was performed 3 months after the visit to determine if new ACP discussion was documented in the chart. RESULTS In the 3 months after the reminder had been sent to patients and providers, new ACP documentation or billing was found in 28.8% of the patients. Most new documentation was health care decision maker (75.6% of new documentation) with new DNR orders placed for 32.3% of these patients. The new Medicare billing code was filled 10 times (7.8%). CONCLUSION Reminders sent to both patients and providers can increase documentation of ACP during primary care visits, but rarely triggers a full ACP conversation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen D Halpert
- Department of Family Medicine, 2332University of North Carolina System, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kimberly Ward
- Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Philip D Sloane
- Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.,Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
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Hickman SE, Torke AM, Sachs GA, Sudore RL, Tang Q, Bakoyannis G, Smith NH, Myers AL, Hammes BJ. Do Life-sustaining Treatment Orders Match Patient and Surrogate Preferences? The Role of POLST. J Gen Intern Med 2021; 36:413-421. [PMID: 33111241 PMCID: PMC7878602 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06292-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is essential to high-quality medical care that life-sustaining treatment orders match the current, values-based preferences of patients or their surrogate decision-makers. It is unknown whether concordance between orders and current preferences is higher when a POLST form is used compared to standard documentation practices. OBJECTIVE To assess concordance between existing orders and current preferences for nursing facility residents with and without POLST forms. DESIGN Chart review and interviews. SETTING Forty Indiana nursing facilities (29 where POLST is used and 11 where POLST is not in use). PARTICIPANTS One hundred sixty-one residents able to provide consent and 197 surrogate decision-makers of incapacitated residents with and without POLST forms. MAIN MEASUREMENTS Concordance was measured by comparing life-sustaining treatment orders in the medical record (e.g., orders about resuscitation, intubation, and hospitalization) with current preferences. Concordance was analyzed using population-averaged binary logistic regression. Inverse probability weighting techniques were used to account for non-response. We hypothesized that concordance would be higher in residents with POLST (n = 275) in comparison to residents without POLST (n = 83). KEY RESULTS Concordance was higher for residents with POLST than without POLST (59.3% versus 34.9%). In a model adjusted for resident, surrogate, and facility characteristics, the odds were 3.05 times higher that residents with POLST had orders for life-sustaining treatment match current preferences in comparison to residents without POLST (OR 3.05 95% CI 1.67-5.58, p < 0.001). No other variables were significantly associated with concordance. CONCLUSIONS Nursing facility residents with POLST are significantly more likely than residents without POLST to have concordance between orders in their medical records and current preferences for life-sustaining treatments, increasing the likelihood that their treatment preferences will be known and honored. However, findings indicate further systems change and clinical training are needed to improve POLST concordance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Hickman
- Indiana University School of Nursing, Department of Community & Health Systems, 1101 West 10th Street, IN, 46202, Indianapolis, USA. .,Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Communication & Training (RESPECT) Signature Center, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA. .,Indiana University School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, 1101 West 10th Street, IN, 46202, Indianapolis, USA. .,Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Alexia M Torke
- Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Communication & Training (RESPECT) Signature Center, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Indiana University School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, 1101 West 10th Street, IN, 46202, Indianapolis, USA.,Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Greg A Sachs
- Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Communication & Training (RESPECT) Signature Center, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Indiana University School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, 1101 West 10th Street, IN, 46202, Indianapolis, USA.,Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Rebecca L Sudore
- Division of Geriatrics, University of California San Francisco, School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Qing Tang
- Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Giorgos Bakoyannis
- Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Nicholette Heim Smith
- Indiana University School of Nursing, Department of Community & Health Systems, 1101 West 10th Street, IN, 46202, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Anne L Myers
- Indiana University School of Nursing, Department of Community & Health Systems, 1101 West 10th Street, IN, 46202, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Bernard J Hammes
- Respecting Choices, A Division of C-TAC Innovations, La Crosse, WI, USA
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Kurin M, Mirarchi F. The living will: Patients should be informed of the risks. J Healthc Risk Manag 2021; 41:31-39. [PMID: 33496056 DOI: 10.1002/jhrm.21459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Living wills are designed to ensure that patients' preferences will be respected at the end of life should they lose capacity to make decisions. However, data on living will use suggest there are barriers to achieving this objective. Moreover, there is evidence that completion of a living will creates a risk of an unwanted outcome: the potential for premature withdrawal of interventions. We suggest a multifaceted approach to improve the ability of living wills to achieve their goals. However, acknowledgment of the current reality should oblige providers offering a living will to their patients to present a balanced view of living wills that includes enumeration of the risk, barriers to achieving the purported benefits, and alternatives to completing a living will, in addition to discussion of the potential benefits. This requires a change in current practice that would encourage shared decision making regarding whether completing a living will or other type of advance directive is desired by the patient and discourage the proliferation of living wills completed without providing these important advantages and disadvantages to the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kurin
- Digestive Health Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Ferdinando Mirarchi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hamot, Erie, Pennsylvania, 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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Lee RY, Modes ME, Sathitratanacheewin S, Engelberg RA, Curtis JR, Kross EK. Conflicting Orders in Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Forms. J Am Geriatr Soc 2020; 68:2903-2908. [PMID: 32936447 PMCID: PMC7744421 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Many older persons with chronic illness use Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) to document portable medical orders for emergency care. However, some POLSTs contain combinations of orders that do not translate into a cohesive care plan (eg, cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] without intensive care, or intensive care without antibiotics). This study characterizes the prevalence and predictors of POLSTs with conflicting orders. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Large academic health system. PARTICIPANTS A total of 3,123 POLST users with chronic life-limiting illness who died between 2010 and 2015 (mean age = 69.7 years). MEASUREMENTS In a retrospective review of all POLSTs in participants' electronic health records, we describe the prevalence of POLSTs with conflicting orders for cardiac arrest and medical interventions, and use clustered logistic regression to evaluate potential predictors of conflicting orders. We also examine the prevalence of conflicts between POLST orders for antibiotics and artificial nutrition with orders for cardiac arrest or medical interventions. RESULTS Among 3,924 complete POLSTs belonging to 3,123 decedents, 209 (5.3%) POLSTs contained orders to "attempt CPR" paired with orders for "limited interventions" or "comfort measures only"; 745/3169 (23.5%) POLSTs paired orders to restrict antibiotics with orders to deliver non-comfort-only care; and, 170/3098 (5.5%) POLSTs paired orders to withhold artificial nutrition with orders to deliver CPR or intensive care. Among POLSTs with orders to avoid intensive care, orders to attempt CPR were more likely to be present in POLSTs completed earlier in the patient's illness course (adjusted odds ratio = 1.27 per twofold increase in days from POLST to death; 95% confidence interval = 1.18-1.36; P < .001). CONCLUSION Although most POLSTs are actionable by clinicians, 5% had conflicting orders for cardiac arrest and medical interventions, and 24% had one or more conflicts between orders for cardiac arrest, medical interventions, antibiotics, and artificial nutrition. These conflicting orders make implementation of POLST challenging for clinicians in acute care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Y. Lee
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Matthew E. Modes
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Seelwan Sathitratanacheewin
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ruth A. Engelberg
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - J. Randall Curtis
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Erin K. Kross
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES The end-of-life needs and desires of patients, whether it is related to a terminal illness or age-related end-of-life physiological function, can vary from patient to patient. Each dying patient's case should be approached in an individual and patient-centered fashion while supporting the dying patient's desired preferences related to end-of-life treatment. This serves to recognize the dying patient's individual rights related to self-determination of preserving his or her dignity during the end-of-life process. As the U.S. population continues to age at the fastest pace in history, it is vital for end-of-life patients and their family members, health care providers, and lawmakers to consider how health policy can drive legislation that supports the dying patient's right to express his or her dignity and own end-of-life desires related to aid-in-dying by allowing health care providers to legally provide physician-assisted health (PAD) and death with dignity (DD) the end-of-life care dying patients prefer. PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTING(S) Palliative, hospice, and long-term care. FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS When state laws do not support a terminally ill person's ability to make his or her own end-of-life decisions based on his or her own preferences and desires related to PAD and dignity in dying, there can be moral conflictions with the existing ethical principles that can contribute to additional distress and anxiety in the terminally ill patient. Not allowing the terminally ill patient the legal right to choose his or her preferences and desires at the end of life goes against the freedom of the patient to choose. The aging population is growing quickly, and people are living longer, which means the frail elderly in their final stages of death due to multisystem organ failure might also desire to have the option of PAD that supports dignity in dying. IMPLICATIONS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE Case managers are an instrumental and integral part of the end-of-life care team. They are held to the same standard of practice as clinical care providers when it comes to promoting the biomedical ethical points autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and fidelity. Following these ethical principles is critical for case managers to consider when supporting the desires and preferences of terminally ill patients. Case managers should be involved in all the patient-centered decision making for a terminally ill patient's desire for DD and PAD. It is critical for case managers to follow their organization's defined code of professional conduct as well their specific professional organization and professional certifying body's defined code of ethics and conduct despite their personal convictions.
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Lovadini GB, Fukushima FB, Schoueri JFL, Reis RD, Fonseca CGF, Rodriguez JJC, Coelho CS, Neves AF, Rodrigues AM, Marques MA, Bassett R, Steinberg KE, Moss AH, Vidal EIO. To What Extent Do Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Reflect Patients' Preferences for Care at the End of Life? J Am Med Dir Assoc 2020; 22:334-339.e2. [PMID: 33246840 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether medical orders within Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms reflect patients' preferences for care at the end of life. DESIGN This cross-sectional study assessed the agreement between medical orders in POLST forms and the free-form text documentation of an advance care planning conversation performed by an independent researcher during a single episode of hospitalization. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Inpatients at a single public university hospital, aged 21 years or older, and for whom one of their attending physicians provided a negative answer to the following question: "Would I be surprised if this patient died in the next year?" Data collection occurred between October 2016 and September 2017. MEASURES Agreement between medical orders in POLST forms and the free-form text documentation of an advance care planning conversation was measured by kappa statistics. RESULTS Sixty-two patients were interviewed. Patients' median (interquartile range) age was 62 (56-70) years, and 21 patients (34%) were women. Overall, in 7 (11%) cases, disagreement in at least 1 medical order for life-sustaining treatment was found between POLST forms and the content of the independent advance care planning conversation. The kappa statistic for cardiopulmonary resuscitation was 0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.82-1.00]; for level of medical intervention, 0.90 (95% CI: 0.81-0.99); and for artificially administered nutrition, 0.87 (95% CI: 0.75-0.98). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The high level of agreement between medical orders in POLST forms and the documentation in an independent advance care planning conversation offers further support for the POLST paradigm. In addition, the finding that the agreement was not 100% underscores the need to confirm frequently that POLST medical orders accurately reflect patients' current values and preferences of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo B Lovadini
- Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda B Fukushima
- Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joao F L Schoueri
- Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roberto Dos Reis
- Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cecilia G F Fonseca
- Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jahaira J C Rodriguez
- Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cauana S Coelho
- Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriele F Neves
- Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aniela M Rodrigues
- Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina A Marques
- Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rick Bassett
- Center for Nursing Excellence, St Luke's Health System, Boise, ID, USA
| | - Karl E Steinberg
- California State University, Institute for Palliative Care, Oceanside, CA, USA
| | - Alvin H Moss
- Center for Health Ethics and Law, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Edison I O Vidal
- Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Enhancing POLST Completion in a Hospital Setting: An Interdisciplinary Approach. J Healthc Manag 2020; 65:397-405. [PMID: 33186253 DOI: 10.1097/jhm-d-19-00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY With increased therapeutic capabilities in healthcare today, many patients with multiple progressive comorbidities are living longer. They experience recurrent hospitalizations and often undergo procedures that are not aligned with their personal goals. That is why it is essential to discuss and document healthcare preferences prior to an acute event when significant interventions could occur, especially for patients with serious and progressive illness. Completion of an advance directive and a physician order for life-sustaining treatment (POLST) supports provision of goal-concordant care. Further, for patients who have do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) orders or are diagnosed with advanced dementia, having a POLST is essential. This may be best accomplished with hospitalization discharge plans. Our 896-bed academic medical center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, launched a quality initiative in 2015 to complete POLSTs for patients being discharged with DNAR status or with dementia returning to a skilled nursing facility. As part of interdisciplinary progression of care rounds, emphasis was placed on those patients for whom POLST completion was indicated. Proactive, facilitated discussions with patients, family members, and attending physicians were initiated to support POLST completion. The completed forms were then uploaded to the electronic health record. Individual units and physicians received regular feedback on POLST completion rates, and the data were later shared at medical staff quality improvement meetings.During the initiative, POLST completion rates for DNAR patients discharged alive rose from 41% in fiscal year (FY) 2014 to 75% in FY 2019. Similar improvement was seen for patients with dementia discharged to skilled nursing facilities, regardless of code status (rising from 14% in FY 2014 to 54% in FY 2019). Subsequently, we have expanded our efforts to include early discussion and completion of these advanced care planning documents for patients recently diagnosed with high mortality cancers (ovarian, pancreatic, lung, glioblastoma), focusing on the completion of advanced care planning documentation and palliative care referrals.
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Batten JN, Blythe JA, Wieten S, Cotler MP, Kayser JB, Porter-Williamson K, Harman S, Dzeng E, Magnus D. Variation in the design of Do Not Resuscitate orders and other code status options: a multi-institutional qualitative study. BMJ Qual Saf 2020; 30:668-677. [PMID: 33082165 DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2020-011222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND US hospitals typically provide a set of code status options that includes Full Code and Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) but often includes additional options. Although US hospitals differ in the design of code status options, this variation and its impacts have not been empirically studied. DESIGN AND METHODS Multi-institutional qualitative study at 7 US hospitals selected for variability in geographical location, type of institution and design of code status options. We triangulated across three data sources (policy documents, code status ordering menus and in-depth physician interviews) to characterise the code status options available at each hospital. Using inductive qualitative methods, we investigated design differences in hospital code status options and the perceived impacts of these differences. RESULTS The code status options at each hospital varied widely with regard to the number of code status options, the names and definitions of code status options, and the formatting and capabilities of code status ordering menus. DNR orders were named and defined differently at each hospital studied. We identified five key design characteristics that impact the function of a code status order. Each hospital's code status options were unique with respect to these characteristics, indicating that code status plays differing roles in each hospital. Physician participants perceived that the design of code status options shapes communication and decision-making practices about resuscitation and life-sustaining treatments, especially at the end of life. We identified four potential mechanisms through which this may occur: framing conversations, prompting decisions, shaping inferences and creating categories. CONCLUSIONS There are substantive differences in the design of hospital code status options that may contribute to known variability in end-of-life care and treatment intensity among US hospitals. Our framework can be used to design hospital code status options or evaluate their function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason N Batten
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA .,Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jacob A Blythe
- Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sarah Wieten
- Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Miriam Piven Cotler
- Department of Health Sciences, California State University Northridge, Northridge, California, USA
| | - Joshua B Kayser
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Karin Porter-Williamson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Stephanie Harman
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth Dzeng
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - David Magnus
- Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Gupta A, Bahl B, Rabadi S, Mebane A, Levey R, Vasudevan V. Value of Advance Care Directives for Patients With Serious Illness in the Era of COVID Pandemic: A Review of Challenges and Solutions. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2020; 38:191-198. [PMID: 33021094 DOI: 10.1177/1049909120963698] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Advance care directives (ACDs) are instructions regarding what types of medical treatments a patient desires and/or who they would like to designate as a healthcare surrogate to make important healthcare decisions when the patient is mentally incapacitated. At end-of-life, when faced with poor prognosis for a meaningful health-related quality of life, most patients indicate their preference to abstain from aggressive, life-sustaining treatments. Patients whose wishes are left unsaid often receive burdensome life sustain therapy by default, prolonging patient suffering. The CoVID pandemic has strained our healthcare resources and raised the need for prioritization of life-sustaining therapy. This highlights the urgency of ACDs more than ever. Despite ACDs' potential to provide patients with care that aligns with their values and preferences and reduce resource competition, there has been relatively little conversation regarding the overlap of ACDs and CoVID-19. There is low uptake among patients, lack of training for healthcare professionals, and inequitable adoption in vulnerable populations. However, solutions are forthcoming and may include electronic medical record completion, patient outreach efforts, healthcare worker programs to increase awareness of at-risk minority patients, and restructuring of incentives and reimbursement policies. This review carefully describes the above challenges and unique opportunities to address them in the CoVID-19 era. If solutions are leveraged appropriately, ACDs have the potential to address the described challenges and ethically resolve resource conflicts during the current crisis and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amol Gupta
- 24508The Brooklyn Hospital Center, NY, USA
| | | | - Saher Rabadi
- 12340University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Gallegos JV, Edelstein B, Moss AH. Evaluation of a Video Decision Aid to Reduce Decisional Conflict in Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Decision-Making. J Palliat Care 2020; 35:243-247. [PMID: 32372687 PMCID: PMC7720244 DOI: 10.1177/0825859720923437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) is recommended as a preferred practice for advance care planning with seriously ill patients. Decision aids can assist patients in advance care planning, but there are limited studies on their use for POLST decisions. We hypothesized that after viewing a POLST video, decision aid participants would demonstrate increased knowledge and satisfaction and decreased decisional conflict. DESIGN Pre-and postintervention with no control group. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Fifty community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older asked to complete a POLST based on a hypothetical condition. INTERVENTIONS Video decision aid for Sections A and B of the POLST form. MEASUREMENTS Pre- and postintervention participant knowledge, decisional satisfaction, decisional conflict, and acceptability of video decision aid. RESULTS Use of the video decision aid increased knowledge scores from 11.24 ± 2.77 to 14.32 ± 2.89, P < .001, improved decisional satisfaction 10.14 ± 3.73 to 8.70 ± 3.00, P = .001, and decreased decisional conflict 12 ± 9.42 to 8.15 ± 9.13, P < .001. All participants reported that they were comfortable using the video decision aid, that they would recommend it to others, and that it clarified POLST decisions. CONCLUSIONS Participants endorsed the use of a POLST video decision aid, which increased their knowledge of POLST form options and satisfaction with their decisions, and decreased their decisional conflict in POLST completion. This pilot study provides preliminary support for the use of video decision aids for POLST decision-making. Future research should evaluate a decision aid for the entire POLST form and identify patient preferences for implementing POLST decision aids into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barry Edelstein
- Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Alvin H. Moss
- Department of Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
- The Center for Health Ethics and Law, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Spalding R, Edelstein B. Factors predicting collaborative willingness of surrogates making medical decisions on the Physician Order for Scope of Treatment (POST). Aging Ment Health 2020; 24:1543-1552. [PMID: 31496268 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2019.1660854] [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] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The Physician's Order for Scope of Treatment (POST) indicates patient preferences regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), levels of care, and fluids/nutrition provision decisions. When patients become incapacitated, 'surrogates' often collaborate with physicians on POST decisions. Surrogates may vary in their willingness to collaborate, which can be problematic when physicians expect shared decision-making. No research has yet investigated collaborative decision-making among surrogates on the POST. This study investigated how six psychological variables predicted participants' desires for collaboration when completing an online decision-making task.Methods: Participants served as hypothetical surrogates and made decisions for another person on the three sections of the West Virginia POST. One-hundred-and-seventy-two adults were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk.Results: The six variables contributed significantly to the prediction of collaborative willingness, F (6, 163) = 5.29, p < .001, R2= 0.19. Two variables uniquely contributed: confidence and consideration of future consequences. The model most strongly predicted collaborative willingness for the CPR decision.Conclusion: This study provides a novel examination of under-researched areas: surrogate collaborative willingness and the POST. Differing risks associated with the three POST decisions may influence how surrogates value collaboration. Ways to enhance collaborative willingness when making POST decisions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Spalding
- Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Barry Edelstein
- Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Lee RY, Curtis JR, Kross EK. Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment and ICU Admission Near the End of Life-Reply. JAMA 2020; 324:608-609. [PMID: 32780137 PMCID: PMC7891929 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2020.8654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Y Lee
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - J Randall Curtis
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Erin K Kross
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
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Hill LA, Waller CJ, Borgert AJ, Kallies KJ, Cogbill TH. Impact of Advance Directives on Outcomes and Charges in Elderly Trauma Patients. J Palliat Med 2020; 23:944-949. [DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2019.0478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. Hill
- General Surgery Residency, Department of Medical Education, Gundersen Medical Foundation, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Christine J. Waller
- Department of General Surgery, Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Andrew J. Borgert
- Department of Medical Research, Gundersen Medical Foundation, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kara J. Kallies
- Department of Medical Research, Gundersen Medical Foundation, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Thomas H. Cogbill
- Department of General Surgery, Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Research, Gundersen Medical Foundation, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Zaeh SE, Hayes MM, Eakin MN, Rand CS, Turnbull AE. Housestaff perceptions on training and discussing the Maryland Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment Form (MOLST). PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234973. [PMID: 32559244 PMCID: PMC7304571 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background On-line tutorials are being increasingly used in medical education, including in teaching housestaff skills regarding end of life care. Recently an on-line tutorial incorporating interactive clinical vignettes and communication skills was used to prepare housestaff at Johns Hopkins Hospital to use the Maryland Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) form, which documents patient preferences regarding end of life care. 40% of housestaff who viewed the module felt less than comfortable discussing choices on the MOLST with patients. We sought to understand factors beyond knowledge that contributed to housestaff discomfort in MOLST discussions despite successfully completing an on-line tutorial. Methods We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 18 housestaff who completed the on-line MOLST training module. Housestaff participants demonstrated good knowledge of legal and regulatory issues related to the MOLST compared to their peers, but reported feeling less than comfortable discussing the MOLST with patients. Transcripts of interviews were coded using thematic analysis to describe barriers to using the MOLST and suggestions for improving housestaff education about end of life care discussions. Results Qualitative analysis showed three major factors contributing to lack of housestaff comfort completing the MOLST form: [1] physician barriers to completion of the MOLST, [2] perceived patient barriers to completion of the MOLST, and [3] design characteristics of the MOLST form. Housestaff recommended a number of adaptations for improvement, including in-person training to improve their skills conducting conversations regarding end of life preferences with patients. Conclusions Some housestaff who scored highly on knowledge tests after completing a formal on-line curriculum on the MOLST form reported barriers to using a mandated form despite receiving training. On-line modules may be insufficient for teaching communication skills to housestaff. Additional training opportunities including in-person training mechanisms should be incorporated into housestaff communication skills training related to end of life care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra E. Zaeh
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Margaret M. Hayes
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Shapiro Institute for Education and Research at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Michelle N. Eakin
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Cynthia S. Rand
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Alison E. Turnbull
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Outcomes After Critical Illness and Surgery (OACIS) Group, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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Siu HY, Elston D, Arora N, Vahrmeyer A, Kaasalainen S, Chidwick P, Borhan S, Howard M, Heyland DK. The Impact of Prior Advance Care Planning Documentation on End-of-Life Care Provision in Long-Term Care. Can Geriatr J 2020; 23:172-183. [PMID: 32494333 PMCID: PMC7259921 DOI: 10.5770/cgj.23.386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of prior advance care planning (ACP) documentation on substitute decision-makers' (SDMs) knowledge of values for end-of-life (EOL) care, and its correlation with SDM satisfaction with EOL care provision, have not been assessed in long-term care (LTC). METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 2,595 SDMs from 27 LTC homes assessed: 1) knowledge of pre-existing ACP documentation and values for EOL care, and 2) the importance and satisfaction of EOL care provision in LTC. Knowledge of values for EOL care was compared to administrative documentation. Importance and satisfaction were plotted on a performance-importance grid. Multiple linear regression assessed whether knowledge of pre-existing ACP documentation correlated with satisfaction. RESULTS The response rate was 25% (658/2,595); 69% of LTC residents had pre-existing ACP documentation. Discordance was noted between SDMs' knowledge of values for EOL care and administrative documentation. Pre-existing knowledge of ACP documentation was not correlated with EOL care provision satisfaction. Priority areas for increasing satisfaction include illness management, SDM communication, and relationships with LTC clinicians. CONCLUSIONS The discordance between SDMs' knowledge of values for EOL care and formal documentation needs to be addressed. Although pre-existing ACP documentation does not impact satisfaction, EOL care provision could be improved by targeting illness management, SDM communication, and relationships with LTC clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Y.H. Siu
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Dawn Elston
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Neha Arora
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Amie Vahrmeyer
- Extendicare Assist, (a division of Extendicare), Markham, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Sayem Borhan
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Michelle Howard
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Daren K. Heyland
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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Comer AR, Hickman SE, Slaven JE, Monahan PO, Sachs GA, Wocial LD, Burke ES, Torke AM. Assessment of Discordance Between Surrogate Care Goals and Medical Treatment Provided to Older Adults With Serious Illness. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e205179. [PMID: 32427322 PMCID: PMC7237962 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.5179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE An important aspect of high-quality care is ensuring that treatments are in alignment with patient or surrogate decision-maker goals. Treatment discordant with patient goals has been shown to increase medical costs and prolong end-of-life difficulties. OBJECTIVES To evaluate discordance between surrogate decision-maker goals of care and medical orders and treatments provided to hospitalized, incapacitated older patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This prospective cohort study included 363 patient-surrogate dyads. Patients were 65 years or older and faced at least 1 major medical decision in the medical and medical intensive care unit services in 3 tertiary care hospitals in an urban Midwestern area. Data were collected from April 27, 2012, through July 10, 2015, and analyzed from October 5, 2018, to December 5, 2019. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Each surrogate's preferred goal of care was determined via interview during initial hospitalization and 6 to 8 weeks after discharge. Surrogates were asked to select the goal of care for the patient from 3 options: comfort-focused care, life-sustaining treatment, or an intermediate option. To assess discordance, the preferred goal of care as determined by the surrogate was compared with data from medical record review outlining the medical treatment received during the target hospitalization. RESULTS A total of 363 dyads consisting of patients (223 women [61.4%]; mean [SD] age, 81.8 [8.3] years) and their surrogates (257 women [70.8%]; mean [SD] age, 58.3 [11.2] years) were included in the analysis. One hundred sixty-nine patients (46.6%) received at least 1 medical treatment discordant from their surrogate's identified goals of care. The most common type of discordance involved full-code orders for patients with a goal of comfort (n = 41) or an intermediate option (n = 93). More frequent in-person contact between surrogate and patient (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.43; 95% CI, 0.23-0.82), patient residence in an institution (AOR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.23-0.82), and surrogate-rated quality of communication (AOR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.96-0.99) were associated with lower discordance. Surrogate marital status (AOR for single vs married, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.01-3.66), number of family members involved in decisions (AOR for ≥2 vs 0-1, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.05-3.21), and religious affiliation (AOR for none vs any, 4.87; 95% CI, 1.12-21.09) were associated with higher discordance. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study found that discordance between surrogate goals of care and medical treatments for hospitalized, incapacitated patients was common. Communication quality is a modifiable factor associated with discordance that may be an avenue for future interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber R. Comer
- Department of Health Sciences, Indiana University School of Health and Human Sciences, Indianapolis
- Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc, Indianapolis
- Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Communication and Training (RESPECT) Center, School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis
| | - Susan E. Hickman
- Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc, Indianapolis
- Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Communication and Training (RESPECT) Center, School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis
- Department of Community and Health Systems, School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Fairbanks Center for Medical Ethics, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis
| | - James E. Slaven
- Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Patrick O. Monahan
- Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Greg A. Sachs
- Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc, Indianapolis
- Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Communication and Training (RESPECT) Center, School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
| | - Lucia D. Wocial
- Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Communication and Training (RESPECT) Center, School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis
- Department of Community and Health Systems, School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Fairbanks Center for Medical Ethics, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis
| | - Emily S. Burke
- Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc, Indianapolis
| | - Alexia M. Torke
- Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc, Indianapolis
- Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Communication and Training (RESPECT) Center, School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis
- Fairbanks Center for Medical Ethics, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
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Evaluation of Quality Improvement Initiatives to Improve and Sustain Advance Care Planning Completion and Documentation. J Hosp Palliat Nurs 2020; 21:71-79. [PMID: 30608360 DOI: 10.1097/njh.0000000000000490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Despite the established benefit of advance care planning (ACP), achieving and sustaining high rates of ACP completion continue to be a challenge in many health care settings. A palliative care champions committee has targeted improving the ACP process through quality improvement initiatives at an academic medical center. To understand the impact of multiyear efforts to improve ACP, surveys of registered nurses, care coordinators, and medical assistants from inpatient and outpatient settings were conducted in 2013 and 2017 to explore comfort level with ACP, barriers preventing completion of ACP in daily practice, and suggestions for overcoming these barriers. The findings suggest strategies to further integrate ACP through interdisciplinary teams, including outpatient staff education, inpatient and outpatient quality improvement initiatives, and dedicated staff for ACP.
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