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Alishahi Tabriz A, Turner K, Hemati H, Baugh C, Elston Lafata J. Assessing the Validity of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Measure in Identifying Potentially Preventable Emergency Department Visits by Patients With Cancer. JCO Oncol Pract 2024:OP2400160. [PMID: 39038257 DOI: 10.1200/op.24.00160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented chemotherapy measures (OP-35) to reduce potentially preventable emergency department visits (PPEDVs) and hospitalizations. This study evaluated the validity of the OP-35 measure in identifying PPEDVs among patients with cancer. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study, which used data from the 2012-2022 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. ED visits are assessed and compared on the basis of three measures: immediacy using Emergency Severity Index (ESI), disposition (discharge v hospitalization), and OP-35 criteria. RESULTS Between 2012 and 2022, a weighted sample of 46,723,524 ED visits were made by patients with cancer. Among reported ESI cases, 25.2% (8,346,443) was high urgency. In addition, 30.3% (14,135,496) of ED visits among patients with cancer led to hospitalizations. Using the OP-35 measure, it was found that 20.85% (9,743,977) was PPEDVs. A 21.9% (10,232,102) discrepancy between discharge diagnosis (CMS billing codes) and chief complaints was identified. Further analysis showed that 19.2% (1,872,556) of potentially preventable ED visits (CMS OP-35) were high urgency and 32.6% (3,181,280) resulted in hospitalization. CONCLUSION The CMS approach to identifying PPEDVs has limitations. First, it may overcount preventable visits by including high-urgency or hospitalization-requiring cases. Second, relying on final diagnoses for retrospective preventability judgment can be misleading as they may not reflect the initial reason for the visit. In addition, differentiating causes for ED visits in patients with cancer undergoing various treatments is challenging as the approach does not distinguish between chemotherapy-related complications and others. Identification inconsistencies arise because of varying coding practices and chosen preventable conditions, lacking consensus and alignment with specific hospital or patient needs. Finally, the model fails to consider crucial nonclinical factors like social support, economic barriers, and alternative care access, potentially unfairly penalizing hospitals serving underserved populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Alishahi Tabriz
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL
| | - Kea Turner
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL
| | - Homa Hemati
- Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Christopher Baugh
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jennifer Elston Lafata
- Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
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Bourmorck D, Pétré B, de Saint-Hubert M, De Brauwer I. Is palliative care a utopia for older patients with organ failure, dementia or frailty? A qualitative study through the prism of emergency department admission. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:773. [PMID: 38956595 PMCID: PMC11218079 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-11242-2] [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] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nearly three out of four older people will use the emergency department (ED) during their last year of life. However, most of them do not benefit from palliative care. Providing palliative care is a real challenge for ED clinicians who are trained in acute, life-saving medicine. Our aim is to understand the ED's role in providing palliative care for this population. METHODS We designed a qualitative study based on 1) interviews - conducted with older patients (≥ 75 years) with a palliative profile and their informal caregivers - and 2) focus groups - conducted with ED and primary care nurses and physicians. Palliative profiles were defined by the Supportive and Palliative Indicators tool (SPICT). Qualitative data was collected in French-speaking Belgium between July 2021 and July 2022. We used a constant inductive and comparative analysis. RESULTS Five older patients with a palliative profile, four informal caregivers, 55 primary and ED caregivers participated in this study. A priori, the participants did not perceive any role for the ED in palliative care. In fact, there is widespread discomfort with caring for older patients and providing palliative care. This is explained by multiple areas of tensions. Palliative care is an approach fraught with pitfalls, i.e.: knowledge and know-how gaps, their implementation depends on patients'(co)morbidity profile and professional values, experiences and type of practice. In ED, there are constant tensions between emergency and palliative care requirements, i.e.: performance, clockwork and needs for standardised procedures versus relational care, time and diversity of palliative care projects. However, even though the ED's role in palliative care is not recognised at first sight, we highlighted four roles assumed by ED caregivers: 1) Investigator, 2) Objectifier, 3) Palliative care provider, and 4) Decision-maker on the intensity of care. A common perception among participants was that ED caregivers can assist in the early identification of patients with a palliative profile. CONCLUSIONS Currently, there is widespread discomfort regarding ED caregivers caring for older patients and providing palliative care. Nonetheless, ED caregivers play four roles in palliative care for older patients. In the future, ED caregivers might also perform the role of early identifier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Bourmorck
- Institute of Health and Society, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Benoit Pétré
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medecine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Marie de Saint-Hubert
- Institute of Health and Society, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- CHU-UCL Namur, Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Isabelle De Brauwer
- Institute of Health and Society, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
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Sullivan DR, Jones KF, Wachterman MW, Griffin HL, Kinder D, Smith D, Thorpe J, Feder SL, Ersek M, Kutney-Lee A. TEMPORARY REMOVAL: Opportunities to Improve End-of-Life Care Quality among Patients with Short Terminal Admissions. J Pain Symptom Manage 2024:S0885-3924(24)00789-9. [PMID: 38810950 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
The Publisher regrets that this article has been temporarily removed. A replacement will appear as soon as possible in which the reason for the removal of the article will be specified, or the article will be reinstated. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald R Sullivan
- Department of Medicine (D.R.S.), Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland Oregon, USA; Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (D.R.S.), Portland Veteran Affairs Healthcare System, Portland Oregon, USA.
| | - Katie F Jones
- New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (K.F.J.), Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medicine (K.F.J.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Melissa W Wachterman
- Section of General Internal Medicine (M.W.), Veterans Affairs Boston Health Care System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine (M.W.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston MA, USA; Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (M.W.), Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hilary L Griffin
- Veteran Experience Center (H.G., D.K., D.G., M.E., A.K.L.), Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel Kinder
- Veteran Experience Center (H.G., D.K., D.G., M.E., A.K.L.), Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dawn Smith
- Veteran Experience Center (H.G., D.K., D.G., M.E., A.K.L.), Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joshua Thorpe
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (J.M.T.), Pittsburgh VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy (J.M.T.), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Shelli L Feder
- Yale University School of Nursing (S.L.F.), Orange, Connecticut, USA; West Haven Department of Veterans Affairs (S.L.F.), West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mary Ersek
- Veteran Experience Center (H.G., D.K., D.G., M.E., A.K.L.), Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Leonard Davis Institute (M.E.), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ann Kutney-Lee
- Veteran Experience Center (H.G., D.K., D.G., M.E., A.K.L.), Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Center for Health Equity and Research Promotion (A.K.L.), Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; University of Pennsylvania (A.K.L.), School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Sri-on J, Phumsrisawat J, Rojsaengroeng R. Missed Opportunity to Diagnose Palliative Care Need Among Older Emergency Department Patients in a Middle-Income Country: A Retrospective Study. Open Access Emerg Med 2024; 16:65-73. [PMID: 38659615 PMCID: PMC11041988 DOI: 10.2147/oaem.s449089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to determine the percentage of missed opportunities (MOs) to identify and treat older adults presenting with palliative care (PC) needs at one emergency department (ED). The secondary objective was to determine the rate of treatment interventions regardless of whether the patients received a PC plan as well as the direct cost of treatment. Patients and Methods In this retrospective study, PC need was determined using broad and narrow criteria. The subjects comprised patients aged 65 or older who had out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and/or died in the ED (Group 1) or within 72 hours after ED disposition (Group 2) over a 3-year period (2016-2018). Overall, 17,414 older adults visited the ED, 60 died in the ED, and 400 died within 72 hours after ED disposition and admitted to in-hospital ward. In total, 200 patients were randomly selected; of these, 15 were excluded. Results Of the remaining 185 patients enrolled, 161/185 (87%) met the PC criteria and 60/161 (37.3%) were missed opportunities for PC planning. Group 1, had thirty patients, and 8 of those 30 (27%) were missed opportunities for PC planning. Group 2, 131/161 (81.4%), died within 72 hours, and there were 52 missed opportunities (39.7%) of ED PC planning. By comorbidity (Group 2), providers considered PC planning most often for cancer patients (PC: 41.8%; missed opportunities: 15.4%; p = 0.001) and there were more missed opportunities for PC planning among those with ischemic heart disease (PC: 19.0%; missed opportunities: 36.5%; p = 0.025). Conclusion Of the older adults who visited the ED, 87% merited palliative care; further, 37% of opportunities for PC planning were missed. Providers considered PC planning most often for cancer patients. Recognizing PC needs and initiating care in the ED can improve end-of-life quality for dying patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiraporn Sri-on
- Geriatric Emergency Medicine Unit, The Department of Emergency Medicine, Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jesda Phumsrisawat
- The Department of Emergency Medicine, Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rapeeporn Rojsaengroeng
- The Department of Emergency Medicine, Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Pettit N, Vachon E, Lash R, Spackman C, Draucker CB. Perspectives of emergency department physicians and nurses on reasons for preventable emergency department visits by patients with cancer. Am J Emerg Med 2024; 78:140-144. [PMID: 38271791 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2024.01.015] [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] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with cancer frequently visit the emergency department (ED) for medical care, yet approximately half of ED visits for patients with cancer are thought to be preventable. Preventable ED visits are associated with increased healthcare costs and poor patient experiences and outcomes. The voices of ED providers who work with patients with cancer in their everyday practices have not been solicited as it pertains to preventable visits. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study is to describe the perspectives of ED physicians and nurses on reasons for preventable ED visits by patients with cancer. METHODS A qualitative descriptive design guided the study. We conducted 23 semi-structured interviews with ED physicians and nurses to query them about their perspectives on the reasons for preventable ED visits by patients with cancer. Content analysis was conducted to list and describe the reasons they discussed. RESULTS Participants identified five "medical" and five "non-medical" causes of preventable ED visits. Medical reasons included uncontrolled cancer pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, anemia, fever, and on-going undiagnosed signs and symptoms. Non-medical reasons include patient hesitancy to contact primary care providers, lack of availability or responsiveness of primary providers, lack of access, lack of care coordination, and fears about diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSION The voices of ED providers should be included in discussions about the problem of preventable ED visits by patients with cancer. The reasons supplied by the participants suggest that solutions to the problem will need to occur at the patient, provider, system, and societal levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Pettit
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America.
| | - Eric Vachon
- Indiana University, School of Nursing, Regenstrief Institute, Center for Health Services Research, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Rebecca Lash
- Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Candice Spackman
- Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
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Sausman J, Arif A, Young A, MacArtney J, Bailey C, Rajani J, Burt R. Healthcare professionals' perspectives of the management of people with palliative care needs in the emergency department of a UK hospital. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:129. [PMID: 37670312 PMCID: PMC10481573 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01248-8] [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: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Emergency Department (ED) is not always the optimal place for people with palliative care needs but is the most common route for treatment when urgent care is sought. The aim of this study,''REasons for PalLIative Care Admissions (REPLICA)' was to explore the perspectives of ED healthcare professionals of hospital admission or discharge via ED for palliative care patients. METHODS This is a sequential mixed methods study comprising (i) quantitative descriptive analysis of Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) of palliative care patients (code Z51.5) who were admitted through ED in a West Midlands Hospital and for the rest of England; (ii) in-depth semi-structured interviews with 17 ED staff which were analysed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS Over the four years (2013-2017), 430,116 people admitted through ED were identified with a Z51.5 diagnosis code, 0.6% (n = 2736) of whom were from the West Midlands Hospital. The most common reasons for palliative care patients' admission to hospitals across England were for care of chronic kidney disease, cancers and urinary tract infections. Five themes were elicited from the qualitative analysis: (1) Providing palliative care in ED is challenging, due to factors including lack of training in palliative care and the unsuitable environment. (2) Patients go to ED due to challenges in community management such as inappropriate referrals and no care plan in place. (3) Health system influences admission and discharge decisions, including bed availability and being unable to set up community services out-of-hours. (4) Discussion with patient about treatment and end of life care needs to be outside of ED whilst the patient is still well enough to express their wishes. (5) Improving services for patients with palliative care needs. Recommendations include short training sessions for ED staff and accessing palliative care professionals 24/7. CONCLUSIONS A large number of palliative care patients visit ED and are admitted to hospital for care; there is an urgent need to prevent patients attending the hospital through the establishment of a coordinated and dedicated service to support palliative care patients in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Sausman
- University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, UK
| | - Azra Arif
- University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, UK
| | - Annie Young
- University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, UK.
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
| | - John MacArtney
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Cara Bailey
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jaimini Rajani
- University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, UK
| | - Rebecca Burt
- University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, UK
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Krebs LD, Hill N, Kirkland SW, Villa-Roel C, Elwi A, O'Neill B, Duggan S, Brisebois A, Rowe BH. "Tough Medicine": Qualitative analysis of clinician experiences providing palliative care in emergency departments. Int Emerg Nurs 2023; 69:101294. [PMID: 37167856 DOI: 10.1016/j.ienj.2023.101294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lynette D Krebs
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nicole Hill
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada; Department of Sociology, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | - Scott W Kirkland
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Adam Elwi
- Alberta Health Services, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Shelley Duggan
- Grey Nuns Hospital, Covenant Health Department of Medicine and Palliative Care, Alberta, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | - Amanda Brisebois
- Grey Nuns Hospital, Covenant Health Department of Medicine and Palliative Care, Alberta, Canada
| | - Brian H Rowe
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada; School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada.
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Alishahi Tabriz A, Turner K, Hong YR, Gheytasvand S, Powers BD, Elston Lafata J. Trends and Characteristics of Potentially Preventable Emergency Department Visits Among Patients With Cancer in the US. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2250423. [PMID: 36656584 PMCID: PMC9857289 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.50423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE An initial step to reducing emergency department (ED) visits among patients with cancer is to identify the characteristics of patients visiting the ED and examine which of those visits could be prevented. OBJECTIVE To explore nationwide trends and characteristics of ED visits and examine factors associated with potentially preventable ED visits and unplanned hospitalizations among patients with cancer in the US. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study used data on ED visits from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2019; US Cancer Statistics reports were used to estimate new cancer cases each year. Frequencies and trends among 35 510 014 ED visits by adult patients (aged ≥18 years) with cancer were calculated. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was potentially preventable ED visits, and secondary outcomes were unplanned hospitalizations and the immediacy of the ED visits. Potentially preventable ED visits were identified using the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services definition. The Emergency Severity Index, a triage algorithm that ranks patients based on the urgency of their health care condition, was used to measure the immediacy of ED visits (immediate [most urgent], emergent, urgent, less urgent, and nonurgent), with the categories of immediate and emergent classified as high acuity. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to calculate trends in ED visits among patients with cancer over time. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations of patient, hospital, and temporal factors with potentially preventable ED use and ED use resulting in hospitalization. RESULTS Among 854 911 106 ED visits, 35 510 014 (4.2%) were made by patients with cancer (mean [SD] age, 66.2 [16.2] years); of those, 55.2% of visits were among women, 73.2% were among non-Hispanic White individuals, 89.8% were among patients living in a private residence, and 54.3% were among Medicare enrollees. A total of 18 316 373 ED visits (51.6%) were identified as potentially preventable, and 5 770 571 visits (21.3%) were classified as high acuity. From 2012 to 2019, potentially preventable ED visits increased from 1 851 692 to 3 214 276. Pain (36.9%) was the most common reason for potentially preventable ED visits. The number of patients who visited an ED because of pain increased from 1 192 197 in 2012 to 2 405 849 in 2019 (a 101.8% increase). Overall, 28.9% of ED visits resulted in unplanned hospitalizations, which did not change significantly over time (from 32.2% in 2012 to 26.6% in 2019; P = .78 for trend). Factors such as residence in a nursing home (odds ratio, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.25-2.41) were positively associated with having a potentially preventable ED visit, and factors such as the presence of more than 1 comorbidity (odds ratio, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.43-2.32) were positively associated with having an unplanned hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study, 51.6% of ED visits among patients with cancer were identified as potentially preventable, and the absolute number of potentially preventable ED visits increased substantially between 2012 and 2019. These findings highlight the need for cancer care programs to implement evidence-based interventions to better manage cancer treatment complications, such as uncontrolled pain, in outpatient and ambulatory settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Alishahi Tabriz
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Kea Turner
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Young-Rock Hong
- Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville
- Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Sara Gheytasvand
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Benjamin D. Powers
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Jennifer Elston Lafata
- Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill
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Bowman JK, Aaronson EL, Petrillo LA, Jacobsen JC. Goals of Care Conversations Documented by an Embedded Emergency Department-Palliative Care Team during COVID. J Palliat Med 2022; 26:662-666. [PMID: 36378862 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There has been growing interest around integrating palliative care (PC) into emergency department (ED) practice but concern about feasibility and impact. In 2020, as the COVID pandemic was escalating, our hospital's ED and PC leadership created a new service of PC clinicians embedded in the ED. Objectives: To describe the clinical work of the embedded ED-PC team, in particular what was discussed during goals of care conversations. Design: Prospective patient identification followed by retrospective electronic health record chart extraction and analysis. Settings/Subjects: Adult ED patients in an academic medical center in the United States. Measurements/Results: The embedded ED-PC team saw 159 patients, whose mean age was 77.5. Nearly all patients were admitted, 48.0% had confirmed or presumed COVID, and overall mortality was 29.1%. Of the patients seen, 58.5% had a serious illness conversation documented as part of the consult. The most common topics addressed were patient (or family) illness understanding (96%), what was most important (92%), and a clinical recommendation (91%). Clinicians provided a prognostic estimate in 57/93 (61.3%) of documented discussions. In the majority of cases where prognosis was discussed, it was described as poor. Conclusion: Specialist PC clinicians embedded in the ED can engage in high-quality goals of care conversations that have the potential to align patients' hospital trajectory with their preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason K. Bowman
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Brigham & Women's Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emily L. Aaronson
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Laura A. Petrillo
- Department of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Juliet C. Jacobsen
- Department of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Lund University Institute for Palliative Care, Lund, Sweden
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Bayuo J, Agbeko AE, Acheampong EK, Abu-Odah H, Davids J. Palliative care interventions for adults in the emergency department: A review of components, delivery models, and outcomes. Acad Emerg Med 2022; 29:1357-1378. [PMID: 35435306 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14508] [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: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Existing evidence suggest the emergence of palliative care (PC) services in the emergency department (ED). To gain insight into the nature of these services and provide direction to future actions, there is a need for a comprehensive review that ascertains the components of these services, integration models, and outcomes. METHODS A scoping review design was employed and reported according to the PRISMA extension guidelines for scoping reviews. Extensive searches in peer-reviewed databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Medline) and gray literature sources (Trove, MedNar, OpenGrey, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) were undertaken and supplemented with hand searching. Titles, abstracts, and full text were reviewed in duplicate. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported on a PC intervention implemented in the ED for adults. Codes were formulated across the included studies, which facilitated the conduct of a narrative synthesis. RESULTS Twenty-three studies were retained with the majority (n = 15) emerging from the United States. The components of PC interventions in the ED were categorized as: (1) screening, (2) goals of care discussion and communication, (3) managing pain and other distressing symptoms in the ED, (4) transitions across care settings, (5) end-of-life (EoL) care, (6) family/caregiver support, and (7) ED staff education. Traditional PC consultations and integrated ED-PC services were the main modes of delivery. PC in the ED can potentially improve patient symptoms, facilitate access to relevant services, reduce length of stay, improve care at the EoL, facilitate bereavement and postbereavement support for family members, and improve ED staff confidence in delivering PC. CONCLUSIONS PC implementation in the ED may potentially improve patient and family outcomes. More studies are needed, however, to standardize trigger or screening tools. More prospective studies are also needed to test PC interventions in the ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Bayuo
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | | | | | - Hammoda Abu-Odah
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Jephtah Davids
- College of Health Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Greater Accra, Ghana
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Robson S, Craswell A. Experiences of emergency department nurses using palliative care resources and associated tools in the provision of quality care of a dying patient. Int J Palliat Nurs 2022; 28:464-472. [PMID: 36269290 DOI: 10.12968/ijpn.2022.28.10.464] [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: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Access to quality palliative and end-of-life care in the emergency department is as vitally important as care at any other stage of life. This study aimed to investigate nurses' perceptions of the use of a suite of dedicated resources to support the provision of care to patients who are dying in the emergency environment. The study followed a qualitative descriptive design; 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using thematic coding. Five themes were developed: facilitating care delivery; comfort and environmental adjustments; visual symbolism; developing knowledge to overcome fear; and perceptions of family experiences. There is an increasing need to access palliative care in the emergency department; the use of a suite of resources can play an important role in the provision of quality care to the dying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Robson
- Clinical Nurse Consultant, Specialist Palliative Care Service, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, Australia
| | - Alison Craswell
- Senior Research Fellow, University of Sunshine Coast, Australia
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12
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Aaronson EL, Wright RJ, Ritchie CS, Grudzen CR, Ankuda CK, Bowman JK, Kuntz JG, Ouchi K, George N, Jubanyik K, Bright LE, Bickel K, Isaacs E, Petrillo LA, Carpenter C, Goett R, LaPointe L, Owens D, Manfredi R, Quest T. Mapping the future for research in emergency medicine palliative care: A research roadmap. Acad Emerg Med 2022; 29:963-973. [PMID: 35368129 PMCID: PMC11298868 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intersection of emergency medicine (EM) and palliative care (PC) has been recognized as an essential area of focus, with evidence suggesting that increased integration improves outcomes. This has resulted in increased research in EM PC. No current framework exists to help guide investigation and innovation. OBJECTIVE The objective was to convene a working group to develop a roadmap that would help provide focus and prioritization for future research. METHODS Participants were identified based on clinical, operation, policy, and research expertise in both EM and PC and spanned physician, nursing, social work, and patient perspectives. The research roadmap setting process consisted of three distinct phases that were time staggered over 12 months and facilitated through three live video convenings, asynchronous input via an online document, and a series of smaller video convenings of work groups focused on specific topics. RESULTS Gaps in the literature were identified and informed the four key areas for future research. Consensus was reached on these domains and the associated research questions in each domain to help guide future study. The key domains included work focused on the value imperative for PC in the emergency setting, models of care delivery, disparities, and measurement of impact and efficacy. Additionally, the group identified key methodological considerations for doing work at the intersection of EM and PC. CONCLUSIONS There are several key domains and associated questions that can help guide future research in ED PC. Focus on these areas, and answering these questions, offers the potential to improve the emergency care of patients with PC needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L. Aaronson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Christine S. Ritchie
- Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Mongan Institute Center for Aging and Serious Illness, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Corita R. Grudzen
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health/Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Claire K. Ankuda
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jason K. Bowman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joanne G. Kuntz
- Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Emory University Hospital Midtown, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kei Ouchi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Naomi George
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Division of Adult Critical Care, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Karen Jubanyik
- Emergency Department, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Leah E. Bright
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kathleen Bickel
- Hospice and Palliative Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Eric Isaacs
- Emergency Department, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Laura A. Petrillo
- Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christopher Carpenter
- Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Rebecca Goett
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Lauren LaPointe
- Department of Social Work, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Darrell Owens
- University of Washington Medical Center, UW School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Rita Manfredi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Tammie Quest
- Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Emory University Hospital Midtown, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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13
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Monsomboon A, Chongwatcharasatit T, Chanthong P, Chakorn T, Prapruetkit N, Surabenjawong U, Limsuwat C, Chaisirin W, Ruangsomboon O. Characteristics and factors associated with mortality in palliative patients visiting the Emergency Department of a large tertiary hospital in Thailand. Palliat Care 2022; 21:115. [PMID: 35754048 PMCID: PMC9235171 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-022-01009-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The characteristics and outcomes of palliative patients who visited the Emergency Department (ED) in Thailand, a country in which no standard palliative care system existed, have not been comprehensively studied. We aimed to report the characteristics of ED palliative patients and investigate factors associated with mortality. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, between March 2019 and February 2021 by means of interviewing palliative patients and/or their caregivers and medical record review. Palliative patients with either incurable cancer or other end-stage chronic diseases were included. Results A total of 182 patients were enrolled. Their mean age was 73 years, 61.5% were female, and 53.8% had incurable cancer. Of these, 20.3% had previously visited the palliative clinic. Approximately 60% had advanced directives, 4.9% had a living will, and 27.5% had plans on their preferred place of death. The most common chief complaint was dyspnea (43.4%), and the main reason for ED visits was ‘cannot control symptoms’ (80%). At the ED, 17% of the patients had been seen by the palliative care team, and 23.1% died. Although 51% were admitted, 48.9% could not survive to discharge. Cancer, having received morphine, a palliative performance scale > 30, and ED palliative consultation were independently associated with hospital mortality. Conclusion The recognition and utilization of palliative care were largely inadequate, especially for non-cancer patients. An improvement and promotion in the palliative care system from the ED through home care are mandatory to improve the quality of life of palliative patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12904-022-01009-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apichaya Monsomboon
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Trisuchon Chongwatcharasatit
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Pratamaporn Chanthong
- Siriraj Palliative Care Center, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Tipa Chakorn
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Nattakarn Prapruetkit
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Usapan Surabenjawong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Chok Limsuwat
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Wansiri Chaisirin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Onlak Ruangsomboon
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
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14
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Koch M, Varga C, Soós V, Prenek L, Porcsa L, Szakáll A, Bilics G, Hunka B, Bellyei S, Girán J, Kiss I, Pozsgai É. Main reasons and predictive factors of cancer-related emergency department visits in a Hungarian tertiary care center. BMC Emerg Med 2022; 22:114. [PMID: 35739467 PMCID: PMC9219147 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-022-00670-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying the reasons for the Emergency Department (ED) visit of patients with cancer would be essential for possibly decreasing the burden of ED use. The aim of our study was to analyze the distribution of the demographic and clinical parameters of patients with cancer based on the reasons for the ED visits and to identify possible predictive factors for their visits. METHODS This retrospective study, carried out at a large, public tertiary hospital in Hungary, involved all patients 18 years or over, who had received a cancer diagnosis latest within five years of their visit to the ED in 2018. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected partly via automated data collection and partly through the manual chart review by a team of experts, including six emergency physicians and an oncologist. Five main reasons for the ED visit were hypothesized, pilot-tested, then identified, including those with cancer-related ED visits (whose visit was unambiguously related to their cancer illness) and those with non-cancer-related ED visits (whose visit to the ED was in no way associated with their cancer illness.) A descriptive approach was used for data analysis and binary logistic regression was used to determine predictive factors for patients with cancer visiting the ED. RESULTS 23.2% of the altogether 2383 ED visits were directly cancer-related, and these patients had a significantly worse overall survival than patients with non-cancer related ED visits. Age 65 or below (Odds Ratio: 1.51), presence of two more comorbidities (OR: 7.14), dyspnea as chief complaint (OR: 1.52), respiratory cancer (OR: 3.37), any prior chemotherapy (OR: 1.8), any prior immune/biological treatment (OR: 2.21), any prior Best Supportive Care/palliative care (OR: 19.06), or any prior hospice care (OR: 9.43), and hospitalization (OR:2.88) were independent risk factors for the ED visit to be cancer-related. CONCLUSIONS Our study is the first to identify independent predictive factors of ED use by patients with cancer based on the chief cause of their visit in the Central and Eastern European region. These results may provide important information for the development of algorithms intended to identify the needs of care of patients with cancer at the ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márton Koch
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Somogy County Kaposi Mór General Hospital, Tallián Gyula Street 20-32, Kaposvár, 7400, Hungary
| | - Csaba Varga
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Somogy County Kaposi Mór General Hospital, Tallián Gyula Street 20-32, Kaposvár, 7400, Hungary.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Semmelweis University, Üllői Street 78/A, Budapest, 1082, Hungary
| | - Viktor Soós
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Somogy County Kaposi Mór General Hospital, Tallián Gyula Street 20-32, Kaposvár, 7400, Hungary
| | - Lilla Prenek
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Somogy County Kaposi Mór General Hospital, Tallián Gyula Street 20-32, Kaposvár, 7400, Hungary
| | - Lili Porcsa
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Somogy County Kaposi Mór General Hospital, Tallián Gyula Street 20-32, Kaposvár, 7400, Hungary
| | - Alíz Szakáll
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Somogy County Kaposi Mór General Hospital, Tallián Gyula Street 20-32, Kaposvár, 7400, Hungary
| | - Gergely Bilics
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Somogy County Kaposi Mór General Hospital, Tallián Gyula Street 20-32, Kaposvár, 7400, Hungary.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Semmelweis University, Üllői Street 78/A, Budapest, 1082, Hungary
| | - Balázs Hunka
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Somogy County Kaposi Mór General Hospital, Tallián Gyula Street 20-32, Kaposvár, 7400, Hungary
| | - Szabolcs Bellyei
- Department of Oncotherapy, University of Pécs Clinical Center, Édesanyák Street 17, Pécs, 7624, Hungary
| | - János Girán
- Department of Public Health Medicine, University of Pécs Medical School, Szigeti Street 12, Pécs, 7624, Hungary
| | - István Kiss
- Department of Public Health Medicine, University of Pécs Medical School, Szigeti Street 12, Pécs, 7624, Hungary
| | - Éva Pozsgai
- Department of Public Health Medicine, University of Pécs Medical School, Szigeti Street 12, Pécs, 7624, Hungary. .,Department of Primary Health Care, University of Pécs Medical School, Rákóczi Street 2, Pécs, 7623, Hungary.
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15
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Kim JS, Lee SY, Lee MS, Yoo SH, Shin J, Choi W, Kim Y, Han HS, Hong J, Keam B, Heo DS. Aggressiveness of care in the last days of life in the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Korea. Palliat Care 2022; 21:105. [PMID: 35668487 PMCID: PMC9170493 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-022-00988-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background High-quality end-of-life (EOL) care requires both comfort care and the maintenance of dignity. However, delivering EOL in the emergency department (ED) is often challenging. Therefore, we aimed to investigate characteristics of EOL care for dying patients in the ED. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who died of disease in the ED at a tertiary hospital in Korea between January 2018 and December 2020. We examined medical care within the last 24 h of life and advance care planning (ACP) status. Results Of all 222 disease-related mortalities, 140 (63.1%) were men, while 141 (63.5%) had cancer. The median age was 74 years. As for critical care, 61 (27.5%) patients received cardiopulmonary resuscitation, while 80 (36.0%) received mechanical ventilation. The absence of serious illness (p = 0.011) and the lack of an advance statement (p < 0.001) were both independently associated with the receipt of more critical care. Only 70 (31.5%) patients received comfort care through opioids. Younger patients (< 75 years) (p = 0.002) and those who completed life-sustaining treatment legal forms (p = 0.001) received more comfort care. While EOL discussions were initiated in 150 (67.6%) cases, the palliative care team was involved only in 29 (13.1%). Conclusions Patients in the ED underwent more aggressive care and less comfort care in a state of imminent death. To ensure better EOL care, physicians should minimize redundant evaluations and promptly introduce ACP. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12904-022-00988-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Sun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun Young Lee
- Public Healthcare Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Min Sung Lee
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Shin Hye Yoo
- Center for Palliative Care and Clinical Ethics, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea.
| | - Jeongmi Shin
- Center for Palliative Care and Clinical Ethics, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Wonho Choi
- Center for Palliative Care and Clinical Ethics, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Yejin Kim
- Center for Palliative Care and Clinical Ethics, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Hyung Sook Han
- Center for Palliative Care and Clinical Ethics, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Jinui Hong
- Center for Palliative Care and Clinical Ethics, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Bhumsuk Keam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Center for Palliative Care and Clinical Ethics, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Dae Seog Heo
- Patient-Centered Clinical Research Coordinating Center, National Evidence-Based Healthcare Collaborating Agency, Seoul, Korea
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Taylor P, Stone T, Simpson R, Kyeremateng S, Mason S. Emergency department presentations in palliative care patients: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2022:bmjspcare-2022-003563. [PMID: 35351800 DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2022-003563] [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: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To map the patient journey for individuals known to palliative care presenting to the emergency department (ED). METHODS A linked dataset from the CUREd database and palliative care services in a region in the North of England was used. The study describes day and time of presentations, events occurring in the ED, mode of leaving the department and length of hospital admissions for presentations occurring within 90 days of a contact with palliative care. Findings were compared with the wider population in the CUREd database. RESULTS A significant proportion of individuals known to palliative care (29.4%) presented to the ED. Presentations typically occurred in working hours. Most presented by ambulance (84.4%) and were admitted to hospital (75.1%); these observations persisted across age groups. Most presentations involved investigations (88.5%) and/or treatment (84.1%). CONCLUSIONS Palliative patients exhibit significant use of the ED; some have the potential to benefit from attendances, but there is a minority for whom ED is unlikely to have improved their care. Advance care planning and communication between services are important for empowering those who stand to benefit from ED, while ensuring appropriate care is planned for those who prefer to avoid presenting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Taylor
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- St Luke's Hospice, Sheffield, UK
| | - Tony Stone
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Rebecca Simpson
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Suzanne Mason
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Öhlén J, Böling S, HamdanAlshehri H, Brännström M, Henoch I, Hessman E, Nilsson S, Ozanne A. Strategies for knowledge translation of a palliative approach outside specialized palliative care services: a scoping review. Palliat Care 2022; 21:39. [PMID: 35317795 PMCID: PMC8939083 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-022-00929-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Research suggests palliative care to be translated and integrated in non-specialized palliative care services throughout the palliative care continuum across populations and settings. A need has been identified to build on the existing research literature in order to design strong knowledge translation strategies that can be evaluated in future research. The aim was to map strategies for knowledge translation of a palliative approach to care into non-specialized palliative care services for adult patients. The objectives were to explore the primary research activities, the specific type of knowledge translation strategies used, the research designs and study settings for such evaluations along with the major results thereof, and to identify major research gaps in this area. Methods A scoping review was performed to map the volume and characteristics of research literature (project registered in PROSPERO #2018 CRD42018100663). The ten-year period 2010 to 2019 was searched in six major databases for original articles published in English in which the knowledge translation of a palliative approach for adult patients was evaluated in non-specialized palliative healthcare settings, and all type of empirical data-based research designs. We excluded non-English, non-empirical articles, non-evaluation of knowledge translations, specialized palliative care settings, and other types of publications (i.e. non-original articles). Results Most of the 183 included articles focused on patients with cancer who were dying in hospitals and in high income countries. Only 13 articles focused on early palliative care. A palette of different strategies was used to implement palliative care in non-specialist palliative settings; no strategy was identified as outstanding. The majority of the articles had unspecified essential components of the research designs. Conclusion Previous suggestions for utilization of implementation science for knowledge translation of a palliative approach to care into non-specialized palliative care services are confirmed, and established knowledge translation theories can strengthen the field. To advance this specific field of knowledge, meticulously detailed reporting of studies is required as related to research designs, clarifications of contextual influences and mechanisms at work. Specific systematic reviews and meta-syntheses in the field are merited. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12904-022-00929-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joakim Öhlén
- University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Health and Care Sciences and Centre for Person-Centred Care, and Palliative Centre at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Susanna Böling
- University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Hanan HamdanAlshehri
- University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Princess Nourah, Bint Abdulrahman University, Medical-Surgical Department of Nursing College, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ingela Henoch
- University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Eva Hessman
- University of Gothenburg, Biomedical Library, Gothenburg University Library, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Stefan Nilsson
- University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Health and Care Sciences and University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anneli Ozanne
- University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Health and Care Sciences, and Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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18
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End of life care pathways in the Emergency Department and their effects on patient and health service outcomes: An integrative review. Int Emerg Nurs 2022; 61:101153. [PMID: 35240435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ienj.2022.101153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION End of life (EOL) care in the Emergency Department (ED) requires focused, person-centred care to meet the needs of this vulnerable cohort of patients. METHODS An integrative review of the literature using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was conducted. Studies were included if they were primary research relating to patients in the ED at the EOL, and/or evaluated EOL care pathways in the ED. Databases OVID Emcare, OVID Medline, and Scopus were searched from 1966-September 2021; followed by screening and appraisal. Articles were compared and data grouped into categories. RESULTS Eleven research articles were included generating three categories for EOL care in ED. 1) tools/criteria to identify patients who may require EOL care in ED; 2) processes for providing EOL care, and 3) implementation methods/frameworks to support the uptake of EOL care processes. CONCLUSION There were some commonalities in the criteria used to identify patients who may be at their EOL and the interventions implemented thereafter. There was no standardised process for screening for or treating EOL care needs in the ED. Further research is required to determine the impact that EOL care pathways have on patient and health service outcomes to inform strategies for future policy development.
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19
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Crock B, Islam MR, Subramaniam S. Emergency Department Utilisation by Palliative Patients in a Regional Australian Setting. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2021; 39:956-961. [PMID: 34866425 DOI: 10.1177/10499091211055903] [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: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many palliative care patients attend emergency departments (EDs) in acute Hospital. However, very limited studies inform about their presentations and appropriateness. OBJECTIVES This study explored the reasons and appropriateness of palliative care presentations in a regional Australian ED setting. METHODS A retrospective, single-centre observational study was conducted in a regional Australian hospital. All patients between January and December 2018 known to palliative care services presented to ED were included. Appropriateness of presentations was determined based on urgency of tests and treatments received, and practicability of obtaining these in a different setting. RESULTS A total of 35 patients made 85 presentations to the ED in 2018. The most common individual presenting complaints were shortness of breath (18.9%) followed by pain (14.1%), fever (11.8%), fall (8.2%), reduced oral intake or dehydration (8.2%), and bleeding (8.2%). The patients were brought by an ambulance in 56.5% presentations, and 63.5% presentations were admitted. About 93% presentations were referred by community healthcare professionals or required urgent investigation or management. CONCLUSIONS This study found the majority of presentations were appropriate since their management could not be delivered at other primary care settings. This study adds value to the growing body of evidence and supports future multi-site longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Crock
- 72544Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Md Rafiqul Islam
- 72544Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Rural Health, The University of Melbourne, Shepparton, Victoria, Australia.,Rural Health School, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Shepparton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sivakumar Subramaniam
- 72544Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Rural Health, The University of Melbourne, Shepparton, Victoria, Australia
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20
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Wright R, Lowton K, Hansen BR, Grocott P. Older adult and family caregiver preferences for emergency department based-palliative care: An experience-based co-design study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING STUDIES ADVANCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnsa.2020.100016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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21
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Bayuo J, Anago EK, Agyei FB, Salifu Y, Kyei Baffour P, Atta Poku C. "Resuscitate and Push": End-of-Life Care Experiences of Healthcare Staff in the Emergency Department - A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study. J Palliat Care 2021; 37:494-502. [PMID: 34713731 DOI: 10.1177/08258597211050740] [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: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Care in the emergency department focuses significantly on delivering lifesaving/ life-sustaining clinical actions, often with limited attention to health-related suffering even at the end-of-life. How healthcare staff experience and navigate through the end-of-life phase remains minimally explored. Thus, this study aimed to uncover the lived experiences of emergency department staff at the end-of-life. METHODS van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used. Nineteen healthcare staff were purposively recruited and interviewed. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and thematic categories formulated. The existential lifeworld themes (corporeality, relationality, spatiality, and temporality) were used as heuristic guides for reflecting and organizing the lived experiences of participants. RESULTS The overarching category, 'resuscitate and push', was captured as corporeality (resisting death and dying); relationality (connectedness to the body of the patient; and lacking support for family and self); spatiality (navigating through a liminal space and lack of privacy for patients); and temporality (having limited to no time for end-of-life care and grieving). The end-of-life space was unpleasant. Although participants experienced helplessness and feelings of failure, support systems to help them to navigate through these emotions were lacking. Grief was experienced covertly and concealed by the entry of a new patient. CONCLUSION End-of-life in the emergency department is poorly defined. In addition to shifting from the traditional emergency care model to support the streamlining of palliative care in the department, staff will require support with navigating through the liminal space, managing their grief, and developing a better working relationship with patients/ families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Bayuo
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
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Palliative care in the emergency department: A qualitative study exploring barriers, facilitators, desired clinician qualities, and future directions. Palliat Support Care 2021; 20:363-368. [PMID: 34233782 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951521001012] [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] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the perceived qualities of successful palliative care (PC) providers in the emergency department (ED), barriers and facilitators to ED-PC, and clinicians' perspectives on the future of ED-PC. METHOD This qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted in June-August 2020. Interviews were analyzed via a two-phase Rapid Analysis. The study's primary outcomes (innovations in ED-PC during COVID) are published elsewhere. In this secondary analysis, we examine interviewee responses to broader questions about ED-PC currently and in the future. RESULTS PC providers perceived as successful in their work in the ED were described as autonomous, competent, flexible, fast, and fluent in ED language and culture. Barriers to ED-PC integration included the ED environment, lack of access to PC providers at all times, the ED perception of PC, and the lack of a supporting financial model. Facilitators to ED-PC integration included proactive identification of patients who would benefit from PC, ED-focused PC education and tools, PC presence in the ED, and data supporting ED-PC. Increased primary PC education for ED staff, increased automation, and innovative ED-PC models were seen as areas for future growth. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS Our findings provide useful information for PC programs considering expanding their ED presence, particularly as this is the first study to our knowledge that examines traits of successful PC providers in the ED environment. Our findings also suggest that, despite growth in the arena of ED-PC, barriers and facilitators remain similar to those identified previously. Future research is needed to evaluate the impact that ED-PC initiatives may have on patient and system outcomes, to identify a financial model to maintain ED-PC integration, and to examine whether perceptions of successful providers align with objective measures of the same.
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COVID-19 Pandemic Surge: After-Action Report of a Coalition of Emergency Departments in New York City. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2021; 16:2114-2119. [PMID: 34187613 PMCID: PMC8376848 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2021.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has stressed the US health care system in unprecedented ways. In March and April 2020, emergency departments (EDs) throughout New York City experienced high volumes and acuity related to the pandemic. Here, we present a structured after-action report of a coalition of 9 EDs within a hospital system in the New York City metropolitan area, with an emphasis on best practices developed during the prolonged surge as well as specific opportunities for growth. We report our experience in 6 key areas using a framework built around lessons learned. This report represents the most salient concepts related to our institutional after-action report, and those seemingly most relevant to our peer institutions dealing with similar circumstances.
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Emergency Department Referral for Hospice and Palliative Care Differs among Patients with Different End-of-Life Trajectories: A Retrospective Cohort Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18126286. [PMID: 34200689 PMCID: PMC8296068 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Emergency units have been gradually recognized as important settings for palliative care initiation, but require precise palliative care assessments. Patients with different illness trajectories are found to differ in palliative care referrals outside emergency unit settings. Understanding how illness trajectories associate with patient traits in the emergency department may aid assessment of palliative care needs. This study aims to investigate the timing and acceptance of palliative referral in the emergency department among patients with different end-of-life trajectories. Participants were classified into three end-of-life trajectories (terminal, frailty, organ failure). Timing of referral was determined by the interval between the date of referral and the date of death, and acceptance of palliative care was recorded among participants eligible for palliative care. Terminal patients had the highest acceptance of palliative care (61.4%), followed by those with organ failure (53.4%) and patients with frailty (50.1%) (p = 0.003). Terminal patients were more susceptible to late and very late referrals (47.4% and 27.1%, respectively) than those with frailty (34.0%, 21.2%) and with organ failure (30.1%, 18.8%) (p < 0.001, p = 0.022). In summary, patients with different end-of-life trajectories display different palliative care referral and acceptance patterns. Acknowledgement of these characteristics may improve palliative care practice in the emergency department.
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Rawlings D, Winsall M, Yin H, Devery K. What is a compassionate response in the emergency department? Learner evaluation of an End-of-Life Essentials online education module. Emerg Med Australas 2021; 33:983-991. [PMID: 33951282 PMCID: PMC9292911 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the End‐of‐Life Essentials education module ‘Emergency Department End‐of‐Life Care’ and explore learners' views on what constitutes a compassionate response in the ED. Methods The present study used a multi‐methods approach. Learners comprised a mix of nurses, doctors and allied health professionals. A quantitative pre‐post evaluation analysis of learners' (n = 959) knowledge, skills, attitude and confidence was conducted, along with a qualitative thematic content analysis on learner responses (n = 538) to the post‐evaluation question, ‘What is a compassionate response for you in the emergency department?’ Data were extracted for a 12‐month period, 6 May 2019 to 6 May 2020. Results Learners' post‐evaluation ranks of knowledge, skill, attitude and confidence were significantly higher than the pre‐evaluation ranks (P < 0.001). Emerging themes from the qualitative data were organised into three overarching categories: communication skills (e.g. listening and use of names), care discussion and provision (e.g. provide information and discuss care plans) and humanising healthcare (e.g. emotional support and empathy, taking the time, and offering kindness and comfort). Conclusion The ‘Emergency Department End‐of‐Life Care’ module had a significant positive impact on learners in relation to perceived knowledge, skill, attitude and confidence. This evaluation suggests that the End‐of‐Life Essentials ED module could be a useful online learning resource for health professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deb Rawlings
- Palliative and Supportive Services, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Megan Winsall
- Palliative and Supportive Services, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Huahua Yin
- Palliative and Supportive Services, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kim Devery
- Palliative and Supportive Services, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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26
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Amado-Tineo JP, Oscanoa-Espinoza T, Vásquez-Alva R, Huari-Pastrana R, Delgado-Guay MO. Emergency Department Use by Terminally Ill Patients: A Systematic Review. J Pain Symptom Manage 2021; 61:531-543. [PMID: 32822748 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Terminally ill patients (TIP) frequently visit the emergency department (ED), but the prevalence of these visits is unclear. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of TIP visiting the ED. METHODS Systematic review of observational studies published between 1998 and 2018 reporting adults TIP who used the hospital ED, searching in PubMed, CINAHL, SciELO, LILACS, and Cochrane. Three evaluators selected and extracted data (kappa concordance 0.63). The quality of the studies was evaluated with the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and global estimates were made, calculating combined prevalence (95% confidence interval [CI]) and heterogeneity of the studies (I2). RESULTS We identified 2429 publications, ultimately including 31 studies in 14 countries; 79% were from high-income countries, 21% from medium-income countries, and none from low-income countries. Most were from 2015. We found that 45% of patients with cancer visited the ED in the last month of life [95% CI 37-54%] and 75% in the last six months of life [95% CI 62-83%]; I2 = 100%. Overall, 17% of patients who visited the ED had a terminal illness [95% CI 12-23%]; I2 = 98%. Few studies reported terminal nononcologic illness, specific age groups or diseases, hospital admission rates, use of palliative care or nonresuscitation, or other criteria that could be used for grouping. CONCLUSIONS Patients with terminal cancer frequently use the ED at the end of life, although use varies among patients and few studies have examined low-income countries or patients with nononcologic terminal illness. The global prevalence of TIP in the ED cannot be calculated from limited reports.
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Affiliation(s)
- José P Amado-Tineo
- Emergency Department of Rebagliati Hospital EsSalud, Medicine School, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru.
| | - Teodoro Oscanoa-Espinoza
- Medicine Department of Almenara Hospital EsSalud, Medicine School, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Rolando Vásquez-Alva
- Emergency Department of Rebagliati Hospital EsSalud, Medicine School, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Roberto Huari-Pastrana
- Emergency Department of Rebagliati Hospital EsSalud, Medicine School, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Marvin O Delgado-Guay
- Department of Palliative Care Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Wang RF, Lai CC, Fu PY, Huang YC, Huang SJ, Chu D, Lin SP, Chaou CH, Hsu CY, Chen HH. A-qCPR risk score screening model for predicting 1-year mortality associated with hospice and palliative care in the emergency department. Palliat Med 2021; 35:408-416. [PMID: 33198575 DOI: 10.1177/0269216320972041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evaluating the need for palliative care and predicting its mortality play important roles in the emergency department. AIM We developed a screening model for predicting 1-year mortality. DESIGN A retrospective cohort study was conducted to identify risk factors associated with 1-year mortality. Our risk scores based on these significant risk factors were then developed. Its predictive validity performance was evaluated using area under receiving operating characteristic analysis and leave-one-out cross-validation. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Patients aged 15 years or older were enrolled from June 2015 to May 2016 in the emergency department. RESULTS We identified five independent risk factors, each of which was assigned a number of points proportional to its estimated regression coefficient: age (0.05 points per year), qSOFA ⩾ 2 (1), Cancer (4), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status score ⩾ 2 (2), and Do-Not-Resuscitate status (3). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of our screening tool given the cutoff larger than 3 points were 0.99 (0.98-0.99), 0.31 (0.29-0.32), 0.26 (0.24-0.27), and 0.99 (0.98-1.00), respectively. Those with screening scores larger than 9 points corresponding to 64.0% (60.0-67.9%) of 1-year mortality were prioritized for consultation and communication. The area under the receiving operating characteristic curves for the point system was 0.84 (0.83-0.85) for the cross-validation model. CONCLUSIONS A-qCPR risk scores provide a good screening tool for assessing patient prognosis. Routine screening for end-of-life using this tool plays an important role in early and efficient physician-patient communications regarding hospice and palliative needs in the emergency department.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruei-Fang Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei
| | - Chao-Chih Lai
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei
- Master of Public Health Program, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei
| | - Ping-Yeh Fu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei
| | | | | | - Dachen Chu
- Superintendent, Taipei City Hospital
- National Yang-Ming University, Taipei
| | - Shih-Pin Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei
| | - Chung-Hsien Chaou
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan City
| | - Chen-Yang Hsu
- Master of Public Health Program, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei
- Da-Chung Hospital, Miaoli
| | - Hsiu-Hsi Chen
- Division Biostatistics, Graduate Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei
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Aaronson EL, Petrillo L, Stoltenberg M, Jacobsen J, Wilson E, Bowman J, Ouchi K, Traeger L, Daubman BR, Ritchie CS, Jackson V. The Experience of Emergency Department Providers With Embedded Palliative Care During COVID. J Pain Symptom Manage 2020; 60:e35-e43. [PMID: 32882358 PMCID: PMC7456836 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Although the importance of palliative care (PC) integration in the emergency department (ED) has long been recognized, few formalized programs have been reported, and none have evaluated the experience of ED clinicians with embedded PC. OBJECTIVES We evaluate the experience of ED clinicians with embedded PC in the ED during the coronavirus disease pandemic. METHODS ED clinicians completed a survey about their perceptions of embedded PC in the ED. We summarized responses to closed-ended items using descriptive statistics and analyzed open-ended items using thematic analysis. RESULTS There were 134 ED clinicians surveyed. About 101 replied (75% response rate). Of those who had interacted with PC, 100% indicated a benefit of having PC involved. These included freeing up ED clinicians for other tasks (89%), helping them feel more supported (84%), changing the patients care trajectory (67%), and contributing to clinician education (57%) and skills (49%). Among barriers related to engaging PC were difficulty locating them (8%) and lack of time to consult because of ED volume (5%). About 98% of respondents felt that having PC in the ED was either valuable or very valuable. Open-ended responses reflected a positive impact on clinician wellness and improvement in access to high-quality goal-concordant care. Clinicians expressed gratitude for having PC in the ED and noted the importance of having readily available and easily accessible PC in the ED. CONCLUSION ED clinicians' perception of embedded PC was overall positive, with an emphasis on the impact related to task management, enrichment of PC skills, providing support for the team, and improved care for ED patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Aaronson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Lawrence Center for Quality and Safety, Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts General Physicians' Organization, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Laura Petrillo
- Department of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mark Stoltenberg
- Department of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Juliet Jacobsen
- Department of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erica Wilson
- Department of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jason Bowman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kei Ouchi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lara Traeger
- Department of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bethany-Rose Daubman
- Department of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christine S Ritchie
- Department of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vicki Jackson
- Department of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Hutchinson A, Galvin K, Johnson MJ. "So, I try not to go …" Acute-On-Chronic Breathlessness and Presentation to the Emergency Department: In-depth Interviews With Patients, Carers, and Clinicians. J Pain Symptom Manage 2020; 60:316-325. [PMID: 32247055 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT People with acute-on-chronic breathlessness due to cardiorespiratory conditions frequently present to the emergency department (ED) causing burden for the person concerned, their care takers, and emergency services. OBJECTIVE To understand the reasons for ED presentation for acute-on-chronic breathlessness and how optimal care might avoid presentations. METHODS Qualitative in-depth linked interviews were conducted as part of a mixed-methods study. Transcripts of audio-recordings were subjected to thematic analysis. Consenting patients presenting to a single tertiary hospital ED with acute-on-chronic breathlessness able to be interviewed were eligible. Patient-participants (n = 18) were purposively sampled for maximum variation. Patient-participant-nominated carers (n = 9) and clinicians (n = 8) were recruited. RESULTS Theme 1: "The context for the decision to present to the ED" is the experience of acute-on-chronic breathlessness, in which a person faces an existential crisis not knowing where the next breath is coming from, and previous help-seeking experiences. Theme 2 ("Reasons for presentation"): Some were reluctant to seek help until crisis when family carers were often involved in the decision to present. Others had previous poor experiences of help-seeking for breathlessness in the community and turned to the ED by default. Some had supportive primary clinicians and presented to the ED either on their clinician's recommendation or because their clinician was unavailable. CONCLUSIONS The decision to present to the ED is made in the context of serious crisis and previous experiences. Discussion of the reason for presentation may enable better management of chronic breathlessness and reduce the need for future emergency presentation.
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Osman AD, Rahman MA, Lam L, Lin CC, Yeoh M, Judkins S, Pratten N, Moran J, Jones D. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and endotracheal intubation decisions for adults with advance care directive and resuscitation plans in the emergency department. Australas Emerg Care 2020; 23:247-251. [PMID: 32534981 DOI: 10.1016/j.auec.2020.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergency departments routinely offer cardiopulmonary resuscitation and endotracheal intubation to patients in resuscitative states. With increasing longevity and prevalence of chronic conditions in Australia, there has been growing need to uptake and implement advance care directives and resuscitation plans. This study investigates the frequency of the presence of advance care directives and resuscitation plans and its utilisation in cardiopulmonary and endotracheal intubation decision making. METHODS Retrospective audit of electronic patients' medical records aged ≥65 years presenting over a 3-month period. Data collected included demographics, triage categories, advance care directive and/or resuscitation plans/orders status. RESULTS A total of 6439 patients were included representing 29% of the total patient population during the study period. Participants were randomly selected (N = 300); mean age was 78.7 (±8.1) years. An advance care directive was present in only 8% and one in three patients (37%) had a previous resuscitation plan/order. Senior consultant was present at the department for consultation by junior doctors for most of the patients (82%). Acknowledgment of either advance care directive or resuscitation plans/orders in clinical notes was only 9.5% (n = 116). CONCLUSION Advance care directive prevalence was low with resuscitation plans/orders being more common. However, clinician acknowledgement was infrequent for both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdi D Osman
- Emergency Department, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia; School of Nursing and Healthcare Professions, Federation University, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Muhammad Aziz Rahman
- School of Nursing and Healthcare Professions, Federation University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Louisa Lam
- School of Nursing and Healthcare Professions, Federation University, Victoria, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Chien-Che Lin
- Department of Palliative Care, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Yeoh
- Emergency Department, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon Judkins
- Emergency Department, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Neely Pratten
- Emergency Department, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Juli Moran
- Department of Palliative Care, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daryl Jones
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Intensive Care, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
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Nevin M, Hynes G, Smith V. Healthcare providers' views and experiences of non-specialist palliative care in hospitals: A qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis. Palliat Med 2020; 34:605-618. [PMID: 32020829 DOI: 10.1177/0269216319899335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare providers working in hospitals are frequently exposed to patients with palliative care needs. For most patients, these reflect non-specialist rather than specialist palliative care needs. Embedding palliative care principles early in patients' disease trajectories within acute care delivery in hospitals, however, is a challenge. How to best understand the experiences of those providing non-specialist palliative care in hospitals has not been systematically assessed. AIM To synthesise the evidence on healthcare providers' views and experiences of non-specialist palliative care in hospitals. DESIGN A qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis using Thomas and Harden's thematic synthesis framework. DATA SOURCES Databases of MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and EMBASE were searched from date of inception to March 2018. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported on healthcare providers' views and experiences of non-specialist palliative care in hospitals. Studies were appraised for quality but not excluded on that basis. The review was prospectively registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. RESULTS Thirty-nine papers of 37 studies were included, representing 985 hospital healthcare providers' views and experiences. Four major analytical themes emerged; 'Understanding of Palliative Care', 'Complexities of Communication', 'Hospital Ecosystem' and 'Doctors and Nurses - a Different Lens'. CONCLUSIONS Non-specialist palliative care in hospitals is operationalised as care in the last weeks and days of life. The organisation of acute care, inter-disciplinary working practices, clinician attitudes, poor communication structures and lack of education and training in palliative care principles exacerbates poor implementation of this care earlier for patients in hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Nevin
- School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Ireland
| | - Geralyn Hynes
- School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Ireland
| | - Valerie Smith
- School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Ireland
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Mott C, Herbert A, Malcolm K, Sansone H, Agar M. Emergencies in Pediatric Palliative Care: A Survey of Ambulance Officers to Understand the Interface between Families and Ambulance Services. J Palliat Med 2020; 23:1649-1652. [PMID: 32176562 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2019.0299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Pediatric palliative care occurs across contexts through the child's illness trajectory, including within the child or young person's community. Interactions with the ambulance service may occur with a child's deterioration, crisis, or when needing transfer, but there is little research on this interaction. Aim: To explore the experiences and attitudes of ambulance officers in managing pediatric patients with palliative care needs. Design: A targeted e-mail survey was sent exploring perceptions of the involvement with these patients including exposure, comfort, resuscitation topics, and supports available. Setting/Participants: Participants were Queensland ambulance officers known to have had an interaction with one of the last 50 pediatric palliative care referrals across Queensland. Results: Twenty-two survey responses were received. Most of the palliative group accessed ambulances for the 13-month study period. Most ambulance officers did not easily identify patients as receiving palliative care. Many participants felt these cases were challenging, confidence levels varied, and staff counselling services were felt to be relevant. Ambulance officers were most likely to use correspondence provided by the family from their usual team as a guide for emergency management. Half of the participants felt patients receiving pediatric palliative care should have a "not for resuscitation" order. Respondents suggested officer support could be improved through increased patient documentation and promotion of existing officer supports. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate challenges experienced by ambulance officers and suggest practical ways in which pediatric palliative care services can better support emergency services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Mott
- Paediatric Palliative Care Service, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Anthony Herbert
- Paediatric Palliative Care Service, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Centre for Children's Health Research at Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Karel Malcolm
- Queensland Ambulance Service, Office of the Medical Director, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Holly Sansone
- School of Psychology and Counseling, University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Meera Agar
- Palliative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Challenges Faced by Prehospital Emergency Physicians Providing Emergency Care to Patients with Advanced Incurable Diseases. Emerg Med Int 2019; 2019:3456471. [PMID: 31885924 PMCID: PMC6899297 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3456471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aim of our study was to investigate challenges faced by emergency physicians (EPs) who provide prehospital emergency care to patients with advanced incurable diseases and family caregivers in their familiar home environment. Methods Qualitative study using semistructured interviews with open-ended questions to collect data from 24 EPs. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results We identified nine categories of challenges: structural conditions of prehospital emergency care, medical documentation and orders, finding optimal patient-centered therapy, uncertainty about legal consequences, challenges at the individual (EP) level, challenges at the emergency team level, family caregiver's emotions, coping and understanding of patient's illness, patient's wishes, coping and understanding of patient's illness, and social, cultural, and religious background of patients and families. EPs strengthened that the integrations of specialized prehospital palliative care services improved emergency care by providing resources to patients and family caregivers, enhancing the quality and availability of medical documentation and accessibility of aftercare in emergencies. Areas of improvement that were identified were to promote emergency physicians' knowledge and skills in palliative care, communication, and family caregiver support by education and training. Furthermore, structures for better care on-site, thorough medical documentation, and specialized palliative care emergency facilities in hospital and prehospital care were requested. Conclusion Prehospital emergency care in patients with advanced incurable diseases in their familiar home environment may be improved by training EPs in palliative care, communication, and caregiver support competences. Results underline the importance of collaborative specialized palliative care and prehospital emergency care.
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Death in the Emergency Department: A Retrospective Analysis of Mortality in a Swiss University Hospital. Emerg Med Int 2019; 2019:5263521. [PMID: 31565438 PMCID: PMC6745091 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5263521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute treatment in emergency medicine revolves around the management and stabilization of sick patients, followed by a transfer to the relevant medical specialist, be it outpatient or inpatient. However, when patients are too sick to be stabilized, i.e., when the care provided in the Emergency Department (ED) may not be sufficient to enable transfer, death may occur. This aspect of emergency medicine is often overlooked, and very few public data exist regarding who dies in the ED. The following retrospective analysis of the mortality figures of a Swiss university hospital from January 1st 2013 to December 31st 2016 attests to the fact that with an incidence of 2.6/1,000, death does occur in the ED. With a broad range of aetiologies, clinical severity at presentation has a high correlation with mortality, a finding that reinforces the necessity of good triage system. Our analysis goes on to show that however (in)frequent death in the ED may be, there exists a lack of advanced directives in a majority of patients (present in only 14.8% of patients during the time of study), a worrying and often challenging situation for Emergency Medicine (EM) teams faced with premorbid patients. Furthermore, a lack of such directives may hinder access to palliative care, as witnessed in part by the fact that palliative measures were only started in 16.6% of patients during the study. The authors hope this study will serve as a stepping stone to promote further research and discussion into early identification methods for patients at risk of death in the ED, as well as motivate a discussion into the integration of palliative care within the ED and EM training curriculum.
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Di Leo S, Alquati S, Autelitano C, Costantini M, Martucci G, De Vincenzo F, Kuczynska B, Morini A, Trabucco L, Ursicelli R, Catania G, Ghirotto L. Palliative care in the emergency department as seen by providers and users: a qualitative study. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2019; 27:88. [PMID: 31533807 PMCID: PMC6751856 DOI: 10.1186/s13049-019-0662-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Much effort has been made to explore how patients with advanced chronic illness and their families experience care when they attend the Emergency Department, and many studies have investigated how healthcare professionals perceive Palliative Care provision in the Emergency Department. Various models exist, but nonetheless incorporating palliative care into the Emergency Department remains challenging. Considering both healthcare professionals’ and users’ perspective on problems encountered in delivering and receiving appropriate palliative care within this context may provide important insight into meaningful targets for improvements in quality of care. Accordingly, this study aims at exploring issues in delivering palliative care in the Emergency Department from the perspective of both providers and users, as part of a larger project on the development and implementation of a quality improvement program in Italian Emergency Departments. Methods A qualitative study involving focus group interviews with Emergency Department professionals and semi-structured interviews with patients with palliative care needs in the Emergency Department and their relatives was conducted. Both datasets were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Results Twenty-one healthcare professionals, 6 patients and 5 relatives participated in this study. Five themes were identified: 1) shared priorities in Emergency Department among healthcare professionals and patients, 2) the information provided by healthcare professionals and that desired by relatives, 3) perception of environment and time, 4) limitations and barriers to the continuity of care, and 5) the contrasting interpretations of giving and receiving palliative care. Conclusions This study provides insights into targets for changes in Italian Emergency Departments. Room for improvement relates to training for healthcare professionals on palliative care, the development of a shared care pathway for patients with palliative care needs, and the optimization of Emergency Department environment. These targets will be the basis for the development of a quality improvement program in Italian Emergency Departments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Di Leo
- Psycho-oncology Unit, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
| | - Sara Alquati
- Palliative Care Unit, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Cristina Autelitano
- Palliative Care Unit, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Massimo Costantini
- Scientific Directorate, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Martucci
- Palliative Care Unit, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Beata Kuczynska
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Morini
- Day Surgery, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Laura Trabucco
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Raffaella Ursicelli
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Gianluca Catania
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Luca Ghirotto
- Qualitative Research Unit, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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Verhoef MJ, de Nijs E, Horeweg N, Fogteloo J, Heringhaus C, Jochems A, Fiocco M, van der Linden Y. Palliative care needs of advanced cancer patients in the emergency department at the end of life: an observational cohort study. Support Care Cancer 2019; 28:1097-1107. [PMID: 31197539 PMCID: PMC6989579 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-019-04906-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Patients with advanced cancer commonly visit the emergency department (ED) during the last 3 months of life. Identification of these patients and their palliative care needs help initiating appropriate care according to patients' wishes. Our objective was to provide insight into ED visits of advanced cancer patients at the end of life. METHODS Adult palliative patients with solid tumours who died < 3 months after their ED visit were included (2011-2014). Patients, ED visits, and follow-up were described. Factors associated with approaching death were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS Four hundred twenty patients were included, 54.5% was male, median age 63 years. A total of 54.6% was on systemic anti-cancer treatments and 10.5% received home care ≥ 1 per day. ED visits were initiated by patients and family in 34.0% and 51.9% occurred during out-of-office hours. Dyspnoea (21.0%) or pain (18.6%) were most reported symptoms. Before the ED visit, limitations on life-sustaining treatments were discussed in 33.8%, during or after the ED visit in 70.7%. Median stay at the ED was 3:29 h (range 00:12-18:01 h), and 319 (76.0%) were hospitalized. Median survival was 18 days (IQ range 7-41). One hundred four (24.8%) died within 7 days after the ED visit, of which 71.2% in-hospital. Factors associated with approaching death were lung cancer, neurologic deterioration, dyspnoea, hypercalcemia, and jaundice. CONCLUSION ED visits of advanced cancer patients often lead to hospitalization and in-hospital deaths. Timely recognition of patients with limited life expectancies and urgent palliative care needs, and awareness among ED staff of the potential of ED-initiated palliative care may improve the end-of-life trajectory of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary-Joanne Verhoef
- Center of Expertise Palliative Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Ellen de Nijs
- Center of Expertise Palliative Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Nanda Horeweg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jaap Fogteloo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Christian Heringhaus
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Anouk Jochems
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Marta Fiocco
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Mathematical Institute, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Yvette van der Linden
- Center of Expertise Palliative Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Khandelwal N, Long AC, Lee RY, McDermott CL, Engelberg RA, Curtis JR. Pragmatic methods to avoid intensive care unit admission when it does not align with patient and family goals. THE LANCET RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2019; 7:613-625. [PMID: 31122895 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(19)30170-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
For patients with chronic, life-limiting illnesses, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) near the end of life might not improve patient outcomes or be consistent with patient and family values, goals, and preferences. In this context, advance care planning and palliative care interventions designed to clarify patients' values, goals, and preferences have the potential to reduce provision of high-intensity interventions that are unwanted or non-beneficial. In this Series paper, we have assessed interventions that are effective at helping patients with chronic, life-limiting illnesses to avoid an unwanted ICU admission. The evidence found was largely from observational studies, with considerable heterogeneity in populations, methods, and types of interventions. Results from randomised trials of interventions to improve communication about goals of care are scarce, of variable quality, and mixed. Although observational studies show that advance care planning and palliative care interventions are associated with a reduced number of ICU admissions at the end of life, causality has not been well established. Using the available evidence we suggest recommendations to help to avoid ICU admission when it does not align with patient and family values, goals, and preferences and conclude with future directions for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nita Khandelwal
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Ann C Long
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Robert Y Lee
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cara L McDermott
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ruth A Engelberg
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - J Randall Curtis
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Hr Wiese
- 1 Department of Anaesthesiology, University Medical Center Ratisbon, Ratisbon, Germany.,2 Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Herzogin Elisabeth Hospital, Brunswick, Germany
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