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Kaufman BG, Woolson S, Stanwyck C, Burns M, Dennis P, Ma J, Feder S, Thorpe JM, Hastings SN, Bekelman DB, Van Houtven CH. Veterans' use of inpatient and outpatient palliative care: The national landscape. J Am Geriatr Soc 2024. [PMID: 39180221 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.19141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative care improves the quality of life for people with life-limiting conditions, which are common among older adults. Despite the Veterans Health Administration (VA) outpatient palliative care expansion, most research has focused on inpatient palliative care. This study aimed to compare veteran characteristics and hospice use for palliative care users across care settings (inpatient vs. outpatient) and dose (number of palliative care encounters). METHODS This national cohort included veterans with any VA palliative care encounters from 2014 through 2017. We used VA and Medicare administrative data (2010-2017) to describe veteran demographics, socioeconomic status, life-limiting conditions, frailty, and palliative care utilization. Specialty palliative care encounters were identified using clinic stop codes (353, 351) and current procedural terminology codes (99241-99245). RESULTS Of 120,249 unique veterans with specialty palliative care over 4 years, 67.8% had palliative care only in the inpatient setting (n = 81,523) and 32.2% had at least one palliative care encounter in the outpatient setting (n = 38,726), with or without an inpatient palliative care encounter. Outpatient versus inpatient palliative care users were more likely to have cancer and less likely to have high frailty, but sociodemographic factors including rurality and housing instability were similar. Duration of hospice use was similar between inpatient (median = 37 days; IQR = 11, 112) and outpatient (median = 44 days; IQR = 14, 118) palliative care users, and shorter among those with only one palliative care encounter (median = 18 days; IQR = 5, 64). CONCLUSIONS This national evaluation provides novel insights into the care setting and dose of VA specialty palliative care for veterans. Among veterans with palliative care use, one-third received at least some palliative care in the outpatient care setting. Differences between veterans with inpatient and outpatient use motivate the need for further research to understand how care settings and number of palliative care encounters impact outcomes for veterans and older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brystana G Kaufman
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sandra Woolson
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Catherine Stanwyck
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Madison Burns
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Paul Dennis
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jessica Ma
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham VA Health System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Shelli Feder
- Yale University School of Nursing, Orange, Connecticut, USA
- West Haven Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Joshua M Thorpe
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - S Nicole Hastings
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham VA Health System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - David B Bekelman
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Medicine, Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Courtney H Van Houtven
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Monayer A, Minha S, Maymon SL, Pereg D, Kalmanovich E, Moravsky G, Grupper A, Marcus G. Statin therapy impact on Long-Term outcomes in acute heart Failure: Retrospective analysis of hospitalized patients. IJC HEART & VASCULATURE 2024; 53:101431. [PMID: 38826832 PMCID: PMC11137506 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2024.101431] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Background Statin therapy is well-established for treating hyperlipidemia and ischemic heart disease (IHD), but its role in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF) remains less clear. Despite varying clinical guidelines, the actual utilization and impact of statin therapy initiation in patients with ADHF with an independent indication for statin therapy have not been thoroughly explored. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study on 5978 patients admitted with ADHF between January 1st, 2007, and December 31st, 2017. Patients were grouped based on their statin therapy status at admission and discharge. We performed multivariable analyses to identify independent predictors of short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term mortality. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted on patients with an independent indication for statin therapy but who were not on statins at admission. Results Of the total patient cohort, 73.9% had an indication for statin therapy. However, only 38.2% were treated with statins at admission, and 56.1% were discharged with a statin prescription. Patients discharged with statins were younger, predominantly male, and had a higher prevalence of IHD and other comorbidities. Statin therapy at discharge was an independent negative predictor of 5-year all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.76-0.85). The sensitivity analysis confirmed these findings, demonstrating higher mortality rates in patients not initiated on statins during admission. Conclusions The study highlights significant underutilization of statin therapy among patients admitted with ADHF, even when there's an independent indication for such treatment. Importantly, initiation of statin therapy during hospital admission was independently associated with improved long-term survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoinette Monayer
- Department of Cardiology, Shamir Medical Center, Zeriffin, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel
| | - Sa’ar Minha
- Department of Cardiology, Shamir Medical Center, Zeriffin, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel
| | - Shiri L. Maymon
- Department of Otolaryngology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel
| | - David Pereg
- Department of Cardiology, Meir Medical Center, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel
| | - Eran Kalmanovich
- Department of Cardiology, Shamir Medical Center, Zeriffin, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel
| | - Gil Moravsky
- Department of Cardiology, Shamir Medical Center, Zeriffin, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel
| | - Avishay Grupper
- Department of Cardiology, Shamir Medical Center, Zeriffin, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel
| | - Gil Marcus
- Department of Cardiology, Shamir Medical Center, Zeriffin, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel
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Serna MK, Yoon C, Fiskio J, Lakin JR, Schnipper JL, Dalal AK. The Association of Standardized Documentation of Serious Illness Conversations With Healthcare Utilization in Hospitalized Patients: A Propensity Score Matched Cohort Analysis. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2024; 41:479-485. [PMID: 37385609 PMCID: PMC10983774 DOI: 10.1177/10499091231186818] [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] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Serious Illness Conversations (SICs) conducted during hospitalization can lead to meaningful patient participation in the decision-making process affecting medical management. The aim of this study is to determine if standardized documentation of a SIC within an institutionally approved EHR module during hospitalization is associated with palliative care consultation, change in code status, hospice enrollment prior to discharge, and 90-day readmissions. Methods: We conducted retrospective analyses of hospital encounters of general medicine patients at a community teaching hospital affiliated with an academic medical center from October 2018 to August 2019. Encounters with standardized documentation of a SIC were identified and matched by propensity score to control encounters without a SIC in a ratio of 1:3. We used multivariable, paired logistic regression and Cox proportional-hazards modeling to assess key outcomes. Results: Of 6853 encounters (5143 patients), 59 (.86%) encounters (59 patients) had standardized documentation of a SIC, and 58 (.85%) were matched to 167 control encounters (167 patients). Encounters with standardized documentation of a SIC had greater odds of palliative care consultation (odds ratio [OR] 60.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 12.45-290.08, P < .01), a documented code status change (OR 8.04, 95% CI 1.54-42.05, P = .01), and discharge with hospice services (OR 35.07, 95% CI 5.80-212.08, P < .01) compared to matched controls. There was no significant association with 90-day readmissions (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] .88, standard error [SE] .37, P = .73). Conclusions: Standardized documentation of a SIC during hospitalization is associated with palliative care consultation, change in code status, and hospice enrollment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrna K. Serna
- Division of General Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Catherine Yoon
- Hospital Medicine Unit, Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julie Fiskio
- Hospital Medicine Unit, Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joshua R. Lakin
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey L. Schnipper
- Hospital Medicine Unit, Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anuj K. Dalal
- Hospital Medicine Unit, Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Liu SY, Amato SS, Lahey TP, Malhotra AK. Association of COVID-19 Visitor Limitations and Goals of Care Discussions in the Intensive Care Unit. J Surg Res 2024; 295:407-413. [PMID: 38070254 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.11.020] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic led to visitor restrictions in many hospitals. Since care in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) often engages visitors as surrogate decision-makers, we investigated whether there was an association between COVID-19-related visitor restrictions, goals of care discussions (GOCD), and patient outcomes in SICU patients. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of trauma and emergency general surgery (EGS) patients admitted to a rural tertiary SICU between July 2019 and April 2021, dividing patients into those admitted during COVID-19 visitor restrictions and those admitted at other times. Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, we compared the primary outcome, incidence of GOCD, and incidence of prolonged hospital (> 14 d) and intensive care unit length of stay (LOS, > 7 d) between the two groups. RESULTS One hundred seventy nine of 368 study patients (48.6%) presented during restricted visitation. The proportion of GOCD was 38.0% and 36.5% in the restricted and nonrestricted visitation cohorts, respectively (P = 0.769). GOCD timing and outcomes were similar in both groups. The use of telecommunication increased during restricted visitation, as did the proportion of trauma patients admitted to the SICU. On multivariable logistic regression, age and patient category were independent predictors of GOCD. On outcomes analysis, visitor restriction was associated with prolonged hospital LOS for EGS patients (odds ratio 2.44, 95% confidence interval 1.01-5.91, P value 0.048). CONCLUSIONS Restricted visitation was not associated with changes in frequency or outcome of GOCD, but was associated with prolonged hospital LOS among EGS patients who had SICU admissions. Further investigation of patient/surrogate satisfaction with virtual GOCD in the SICU setting is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Y Liu
- Department of Surgery, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont.
| | - Stas S Amato
- Department of Surgery, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Timothy P Lahey
- Departments of Infectious Disease and Clinical Ethics, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Ajai K Malhotra
- Department of Surgery, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont
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White D, Kilshaw L, Eng D. Communication skills: simulated patient goals of care workshop for acute care clinicians. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2024; 14:94-102. [PMID: 36347567 DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2022-003773] [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: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Appropriate and timely goals of patient care (GoPC) discussions are associated with improved health outcomes near the end-of-life among patients with serious illness, however, acute care clinicians report a lack of training in conducting GoPC conversations. OBJECTIVES A half-day GoPC communication workshop for acute care clinicians was delivered and evaluated. Participants were instructed in the use of communication frameworks and practiced skills in clinical scenarios with a simulated patient. METHOD Expert facilitators guided feedback towards learner identified goals during simulated GoPC discussions. Self-reported confidence in communication skills was measured with a pre-post questionnaire, which was repeated 2 months following the workshop. RESULTS 50 clinicians completed the workshop and questionnaire. A mean improvement in confidence in communication skills of 35% (p<0.001) was identified following participation, which remained elevated at 2 months (p<0.001). All participants responded that they would recommend the workshop to a colleague, and more than two-thirds went on to share their learnings with other clinicians. CONCLUSION The use of a simulated patient, communication frameworks and an expert facilitator were associated with durable improvement in confidence in GoPC communication among acute care clinicians. A half-day workshop was feasible and acceptable to participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- David White
- Geriatric Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Lucy Kilshaw
- Geriatric Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Derek Eng
- Palliative Care, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Bigger SE, Zanville N, Wittenberg E, Towsley G, Glenn L. Palliative Care Communication Among Home Health Interprofessional Staff: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effectiveness. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2024; 41:203-210. [PMID: 37002796 DOI: 10.1177/10499091231165013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Skilled home health care (HH) is the largest and fastest growing long-term care setting in the United States. Patients in HH are served by an interprofessional team, and may have little direct contact with physicians, when discussing their progress, prognosis, and goals of care. Such conversations are part of primary palliative care communication. Evidence on primary palliative care communication training in the non-physician HH interprofessional team is lacking. The objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of using a palliative care communication model known as COMFORT© to provide palliative care communication training to HH staff. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at a regional health system in the southeastern U.S. to test online training modules (n = 10) (Group 1) and online training modules plus face-to-face training (n = 8) (Group 2). Measures included training completion rates, staff acceptability ratings, comfort with palliative and end-of-life communication (C-COPE) and moral distress (MMD-HP). Results showed that COMFORT© training was feasible (92%), highly acceptable (>4 on a 6-point scale), and positively correlated with improved C-COPE scores (P = .037). There was no significant difference in moral distress scores pre- and post-intervention or in effectiveness between the groups. However, acceptability of COMFORT© was positively correlated with history of leaving or considering leaving a job due to moral distress (χ 2 = 7.6, P = .02). Preliminary findings from this pilot study suggest that administration of COMFORT© training was feasible, and it was correlated with increased HH staff comfort with palliative care communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon E Bigger
- College of Nursing, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Noah Zanville
- North Carolina Division, Hospital Corporation of America, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Elaine Wittenberg
- Communication Studies, California State University Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gail Towsley
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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7
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Dujari S, Wei J, Kraler L, Goyal T, Bernier E, Schwartz N, Hirsch K, Gold CA. Inpatient Neurology Deaths and Factors Associated With Discharge to Hospice. Neurohospitalist 2023; 13:337-344. [PMID: 37701246 PMCID: PMC10494814 DOI: 10.1177/19418744231174577] [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: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose The Neurology Mortality Review Committee at our institution identified variability in location of death for patients on our inpatient neurology services. Hospice may increase the number of patients dying in their preferred locations. This study aimed to characterize patients who die on inpatient neurology services and explore barriers to discharge to hospice. Methods This retrospective study was completed at a single, quaternary care medical center that is a Level I Trauma Center and Comprehensive Stroke Center. Patients discharged by an inpatient neurology service between 6/2019-1/2021 were identified and electronic medical record review was performed on patients who died in the hospital and who were discharged to hospice. Results 69 inpatient deaths and 74 discharges to hospice occurred during the study period. Of the 69 deaths, 54 occurred following withdrawal of life sustaining treatment (WLST), of which 14 had a referral to hospice placed. There were 88 "hospice-referred" patients and 40 "hospice-eligible" patients. Hospice-referred patients were less likely to require the intensive care unit than hospice-eligible patients. Hospice-referred patients had their code status changed to Do Not Intubate earlier and were more likely to have advanced directives available. Conclusion Our data highlight opportunities for further research to improve discharge to hospice including interhospital transfers, advanced directives, earlier goals of care discussions, palliative care consultations, and increased hospice bed availability. Importantly, it highlights the limitations of using in-hospital mortality as a quality indicator in this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shefali Dujari
- Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Janet Wei
- Stanford Health Care, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Lironn Kraler
- Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Clinical Excellence Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Tarini Goyal
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Neil Schwartz
- Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Karen Hirsch
- Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Carl A. Gold
- Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Uyeda AM, Lee RY, Pollack LR, Paul SR, Downey L, Brumback LC, Engelberg RA, Sibley J, Lober WB, Cohen T, Torrence J, Kross EK, Curtis JR. Predictors of Documented Goals-of-Care Discussion for Hospitalized Patients With Chronic Illness. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 65:233-241. [PMID: 36423800 PMCID: PMC9928787 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Goals-of-care discussions are important for patient-centered care among hospitalized patients with serious illness. However, there are little data on the occurrence, predictors, and timing of these discussions. OBJECTIVES To examine the occurrence, predictors, and timing of electronic health record (EHR)-documented goals-of-care discussions for hospitalized patients. METHODS This retrospective cohort study used natural language processing (NLP) to examine EHR-documented goals-of-care discussions for adults with chronic life-limiting illness or age ≥80 hospitalized 2015-2019. The primary outcome was NLP-identified documentation of a goals-of-care discussion during the index hospitalization. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate associations with baseline characteristics. RESULTS Of 16,262 consecutive, eligible patients without missing data, 5,918 (36.4%) had a documented goals-of-care discussion during hospitalization; approximately 57% of these discussions occurred within 24 hours of admission. In multivariable analysis, documented goals-of-care discussions were more common for women (OR=1.26, 95%CI 1.18-1.36), older patients (OR=1.04 per year, 95%CI 1.03-1.04), and patients with more comorbidities (OR=1.11 per Deyo-Charlson point, 95%CI 1.10-1.13), cancer (OR=1.88, 95%CI 1.72-2.06), dementia (OR=2.60, 95%CI 2.29-2.94), higher acute illness severity (OR=1.12 per National Early Warning Score point, 95%CI 1.11-1.14), or prior advance care planning documents (OR=1.18, 95%CI 1.08-1.30). Documentation of these discussions was less common for racially or ethnically minoritized patients (OR=0.823, 95%CI 0.75-0.90). CONCLUSION Among hospitalized patients with serious illness, documented goals-of-care discussions identified by NLP were more common among patients with older age and increased burden of acute or chronic illness, and less common among racially or ethnically minoritized patients. This suggests important disparities in goals-of-care discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison M Uyeda
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E, J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence at UW Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., L.C.B., R.A.E., J.S., W.B.L., T.C., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Robert Y Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E, J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence at UW Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., L.C.B., R.A.E., J.S., W.B.L., T.C., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lauren R Pollack
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E, J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence at UW Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., L.C.B., R.A.E., J.S., W.B.L., T.C., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sudiptho R Paul
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E, J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence at UW Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., L.C.B., R.A.E., J.S., W.B.L., T.C., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lois Downey
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E, J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence at UW Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., L.C.B., R.A.E., J.S., W.B.L., T.C., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lyndia C Brumback
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence at UW Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., L.C.B., R.A.E., J.S., W.B.L., T.C., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington (L.C.B.), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ruth A Engelberg
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E, J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence at UW Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., L.C.B., R.A.E., J.S., W.B.L., T.C., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - James Sibley
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence at UW Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., L.C.B., R.A.E., J.S., W.B.L., T.C., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington (J.S., W.B.L., T.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - William B Lober
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence at UW Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., L.C.B., R.A.E., J.S., W.B.L., T.C., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington (J.S., W.B.L., T.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics, University of Washington (W.B.L.), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Trevor Cohen
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence at UW Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., L.C.B., R.A.E., J.S., W.B.L., T.C., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington (J.S., W.B.L., T.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Janaki Torrence
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E, J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence at UW Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., L.C.B., R.A.E., J.S., W.B.L., T.C., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Erin K Kross
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E, J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence at UW Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., L.C.B., R.A.E., J.S., W.B.L., T.C., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - J Randall Curtis
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E, J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence at UW Medicine, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., L.C.B., R.A.E., J.S., W.B.L., T.C., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington (A.M.U., R.Y.L., L.R.P., S.R.P., L.D., R.A.E., J.T., E.K.K., J.R.C.), Seattle, Washington, USA.
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Bernal OA, Roberts B, Wu DS. Interprofessional Interventions to Improve Serious Illness Communication in the Intensive Care Unit: A Scoping Review. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2022:10499091221130755. [PMID: 36189871 DOI: 10.1177/10499091221130755] [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: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Serious illness communication is fundamental to the provision of quality care for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Evidence suggests that including interprofessional team members in such communication is beneficial. This scoping review--conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines-maps existing evidence regarding interprofessional interventions to improve serious illness communication in the ICU. The review yielded 14 studies for inclusion, which were organized by 3 thematic categories of strategies implemented: training curriculum, scheduled meetings, and liaison role. Most used a combination of intervention strategies. Outcome measures varied across the studies but could be broadly categorized as patient/family-focused, provider-focused, or systems-focused. Great heterogeneity between studies exists. More research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia A Bernal
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, 23238Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Benjamin Roberts
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, 23238Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Palliative Care Program, 23238Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David S Wu
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, 23238Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Palliative Care Program, 23238Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
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10
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Brown J, Myers H, Eng D, Kilshaw L, Abraham J, Buchanan G, Eggimann L, Kelly M. Evaluation of the 'Talking Together' simulation communication training for 'goals of patient care' conversations: a mixed-methods study in five metropolitan public hospitals in Western Australia. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e060226. [PMID: 35922109 PMCID: PMC9353005 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-060226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In partnership with Cancer Council Western Australia (WA), the East Metropolitan Health Service in Perth, WA has developed a clinical simulation training programme 'Talking Together' using role play scenarios with trained actors as patients/carers. The aim of the training is to improve clinicians' communication skills when having challenging conversations with patients, or their carers, in relation to goals of care in the event of clinical deterioration. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A multisite, longitudinal mixed-methods study will be conducted to evaluate the impact of the communication skills training programme on patient, family/carer and clinician outcomes. Methods include online surveys and interviews. The study will assess outcomes in three areas: evaluation of the 'Talking Together' workshops and their effect on satisfaction, confidence and integration of best practice communication skills; quality of goals of patient care conversations from the point of view of clinicians, carers and family/carers; and investigation of the nursing/allied role in goals of patient care. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study has received ethical approval from the Royal Perth Hospital, St John of God and Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committees. The outputs from this project will be a series of research papers and conference presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janie Brown
- Curtin School of Nursing, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Helen Myers
- Curtin School of Nursing, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Derek Eng
- Palliative Care, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Lucy Kilshaw
- Aged Care, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jillian Abraham
- East Metropolitan Health Service Executive, East Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Grace Buchanan
- Cancer Council Western Australia, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Liz Eggimann
- Cancer Council Western Australia, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Michelle Kelly
- Curtin School of Nursing, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Clinical & Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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11
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Anaka M, Lee M, Lim E, Ghosh S, Cheung WY, Spratlin J. Changing Rates of Goals of Care Designations in Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer During a Multifactorial Advanced Care Planning Initiative: A Real-World Evidence Study. JCO Oncol Pract 2022; 18:e869-e876. [PMID: 35108030 DOI: 10.1200/op.21.00649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Goals of care (GoC) designations are an important part of advanced care planning (ACP) for patients with incurable cancers. Studies of outpatient oncology records show that most patients do not have GoC documented. We performed a retrospective analysis of changes in GoC designations in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in Northern Alberta, Canada, during a system-wide ACP quality improvement initiative. METHODS Four hundred seventy-one patients with newly diagnosis of advanced, non-neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer between 2010 and 2015 in Northern Alberta, Canada, were included. The ACP initiation launched April 2014, and included educational materials for patients and families, and a coded system of GoC designations describing care philosophies and preferences for resuscitation and medical interventions. Data sources included the Alberta Cancer Registry and oncology-specific electronic medical records. RESULTS 25.5% of patients had a documented GoC, which increased over the study period (Mantel-Haenszel test-of-trend P < .001; increased from 7.8% in 2010 to 50.0% in 2015). GoC designations occurred later in patients who received palliative chemotherapy versus those who did not (median 130 days from diagnosis [95% CI, 76.019 to 183.981] v 36 days [95% CI, 28.107 to 43.893]; P < .001), and coincided with the end of treatment (median 4.5 days from last treatment). 64.8% of GoC designations were documented by palliative care physicians, but the proportion documented by medical oncologists increased with time (Mantel-Haenszel test-of-trend P = .020; increased from 0% in 2010 to 52.1% in 2015). CONCLUSION GoC documentation increased in the outpatient records of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer during the system-wide, multifactorial ACP initiative. GoC documentation by medical oncologists also increased. These data provide real-world evidence supporting the impact of a specific ACP initiative to improve rates of GoC designation in patients with advanced cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Minji Lee
- University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Elisa Lim
- Tom Baker Cancer Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sunita Ghosh
- Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Winson Y Cheung
- Tom Baker Cancer Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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12
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Serious Illness Discussion in Palliative Care—A Case Study Approach in an African American Patient with Cancer. Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am 2022; 34:79-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cnc.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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13
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Harris E, Eng D, Ang Q, Clarke E, Sinha A. Goals of care discussions in acute hospital admissions - Qualitative description of perspectives from patients, family and their doctors. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2021; 104:2877-2887. [PMID: 34598803 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Goals of care discussions guide care for hospital inpatients at risk of deterioration. We aimed to explore patient and family experience of goals of care during the first 72 h of admission along with their doctor's perspective. METHODS A qualitative descriptive study. Patients, family and doctors who participated in a goals of care discussion during an acute hospital admission at an Australian tertiary teaching hospital were interviewed in 2019. RESULTS Many participants found goals of care discussions appropriate and reported understanding. However, communication was commonly procedure-focused, with questioning about preferences for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intubation. Some considered the discussion as inapplicable to their state of health, and occasionally surprising. Participants commonly related goals of care with death, and without context, this led to fear of abandonment. Previous experience with end of life care influenced decision-making. Preference for family presence was clear. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies deficiencies in goals of care communication in the acute hospital setting. Discussions are life-saving-procedure focused, leading to poor understanding and potentially distress, and jeopardising patient-centred care. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Assessment of patient values and clear communication on the aims of goals of care discussions is essential to optimise patient and institutional outcomes. Clinicians should consider environment and invite family participation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Derek Eng
- Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia; School of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia; St John of God Subiaco Hospital, Subiaco, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, Australia.
| | - QiKai Ang
- Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia.
| | | | - Atul Sinha
- Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia; School of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia; Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, Australia.
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Robertson AC, Fowler LC, Kimball TS, Niconchuk JA, Kreger MT, Brovman EY, Rickerson E, Sadovnikoff N, Hepner DL, McEvoy MD, Bader AM, Urman RD. Efficacy of an Online Curriculum for Perioperative Goals of Care and Code Status Discussions: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Anesth Analg 2021; 132:1738-1747. [PMID: 33886519 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000005548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preoperative goals of care (GOC) and code status (CS) discussions are important in achieving an in-depth understanding of the patient's care goals in the setting of a serious illness, enabling the clinician to ensure patient autonomy and shared decision making. Past studies have shown that anesthesiologists are not formally trained in leading these discussions and may lack the necessary skill set. We created an innovative online video curriculum designed to teach these skills. This curriculum was compared to a traditional method of learning from reading the medical literature. METHODS In this bi-institutional randomized controlled trial at 2 major academic medical centers, 60 anesthesiology trainees were randomized to receive the educational content in 1 of 2 formats: (1) the novel video curriculum (video group) or (2) journal articles (reading group). Thirty residents were assigned to the experimental video curriculum group, and 30 were assigned to the reading group. The content incorporated into the 2 formats focused on general preoperative evaluation of patients and communication strategies pertaining to GOC and CS discussions. Residents in both groups underwent a pre- and postintervention objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) with standardized patients. Both OSCEs were scored using the same 24-point rubric. Score changes between the 2 OSCEs were examined using linear regression, and interrater reliability was assessed using weighted Cohen's kappa. RESULTS Residents receiving the video curriculum performed significantly better overall on the OSCE encounter, with a mean score of 4.19 compared to 3.79 in the reading group. The video curriculum group also demonstrated statistically significant increased scores on 8 of 24 rubric categories when compared to the reading group. CONCLUSIONS Our novel video curriculum led to significant increases in resident performance during simulated GOC discussions and modest increases during CS discussions. Further development and refinement of this curriculum are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy C Robertson
- From the Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Leslie C Fowler
- From the Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Thomas S Kimball
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jonathan A Niconchuk
- From the Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Michael T Kreger
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southeast Health Medical Center, Dothan, Alabama
| | - Ethan Y Brovman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elizabeth Rickerson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nicholas Sadovnikoff
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David L Hepner
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Matthew D McEvoy
- From the Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Angela M Bader
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Richard D Urman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Starr LT, O'Connor NR, Meghani SH. Improved Serious Illness Communication May Help Mitigate Racial Disparities in Care Among Black Americans with COVID-19. J Gen Intern Med 2021; 36:1071-1076. [PMID: 33464466 PMCID: PMC7814859 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06557-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren T Starr
- NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Nina R O'Connor
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Salimah H Meghani
- NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Luth EA, Pan CX, Viola M, Prigerson HG. Dementia and Early Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders Associated With Less Intensive of End-of-Life Care: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2021; 38:1417-1425. [PMID: 33467864 DOI: 10.1177/1049909121989020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dementia is a leading cause of death among US older adults. Little is known about end-of-life care intensity and do-not-resuscitate orders (DNRs) among patients with dementia who die in hospital. AIM Examine the relationship between dementia, DNR timing, and end-of-life care intensity. DESIGN Observational cohort study. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Inpatient electronic health record extraction for 2,566 persons age 65 and older who died in 2 New York City hospitals in the United States from 2015 to 2017. RESULTS Multivariable logistic regression analyses modeled associations between dementia diagnosis, DNR timing, and 6 end-of-life care outcomes. 31% of subjects had a dementia diagnosis; 23% had a DNR on day of hospital admission. Patients with dementia were 18%-40% less likely to have received 4 of 6 types of intensive care (mechanical ventilation AOR: 0.82, 95%CI: 0.67 -1.00; intensive care unit admission AOR: 0.60, 95%CI: 0.49-0.83). Having a DNR on file was inversely associated with staying in the intensive care unit (AOR: 0.57, 95%CI: 0.47-0.70) and avoiding other intensive care measures. DNR placement later during the hospitalization and not having a DNR were associated with more intensive care compared to having a DNR upon admission. CONCLUSIONS Having dementia and a do-not resuscitate order upon hospital admission are associated with less intensive end-of-life care. Additional research is needed to understand why persons with dementia receive less intensive care. In clinical practice, encouraging advance care planning prior to and at hospital admission may be particularly important for patients wishing to avoid intensive end-of-life care, including patients with dementia.
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O'Connor M, Watts KJ, Kilburn WD, Vivekananda K, Johnson CE, Keesing S, Halkett GKB, Shaw J, Colgan V, Yuen K, Jolly R, Towler SC, Chauhan A, Nicoletti M, Leonard AD. A Qualitative Exploration of Seriously Ill Patients' Experiences of Goals of Care Discussions in Australian Hospital Settings. J Gen Intern Med 2020; 35:3572-3580. [PMID: 33037591 PMCID: PMC7546390 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06233-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Goals of care (GOC) is a communication and decision-making process that occurs between a clinician and a patient (or surrogate decision-maker) during an episode of care to facilitate a plan of care that is consistent with the patient's preferences and values. Little is known about patients' experiences of these discussions. OBJECTIVE This study explored patients' perspectives of the GOC discussion in the hospital setting. DESIGN An explorative qualitative design was used within a social constructionist framework. PARTICIPANTS Adult patients were recruited from six Australian hospitals across two states. Eligible patients had had a GOC discussion and they were identified by the senior nurse or their doctor for informed consent and interview. APPROACH Semi-structured individual or dyadic interviews (with the carer/family member present) were conducted at the bedside or at the patient's home (for recently discharged patients). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed for themes. KEY RESULTS Thirty-eight patient interviews were completed. The key themes identified were (1) values and expectations, and (2) communication (sub-themes: (i) facilitators of the conversation, (ii) barriers to the conversation, and (iii) influence of the environment). Most patients viewed the conversation as necessary and valued having their preferences heard. Effective communication strategies and a safe, private setting were facilitators of the GOC discussion. Deficits in any of these key elements functioned as a barrier to the process. CONCLUSIONS Effective communication, and patients' values and expectations set the stage for goals of care discussions; however, the environment plays a significant role. Communication skills training and education designed to equip clinicians to negotiate GOC interactions effectively are essential. These interventions must also be accompanied by systemic changes including building a culture supportive of GOC, clear policies and guidelines, and champions who facilitate uptake of GOC discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moira O'Connor
- WA Cancer Prevention Research Unit, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - Kaaren J Watts
- WA Cancer Prevention Research Unit, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Warren D Kilburn
- School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kitty Vivekananda
- Counselling & Psychology Programs, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Claire E Johnson
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Eastern Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Sharon Keesing
- School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work, and Speech Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Georgia K B Halkett
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Josephine Shaw
- WA Cancer Prevention Research Unit, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Valerie Colgan
- WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network, WA Department of Health, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Kevin Yuen
- Palliative Care Department, Royal Perth Bentley Group, East Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Renate Jolly
- Respiratory Medicine, Royal Perth Bentley Group, East Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Simon C Towler
- Intensive Care Unit, Fiona Stanley Hospital, South Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, WA, Australia
- DonateLife, WA, MHPHDS Division, North Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, WA, Australia
- End-of-Life Care, WA Department of Health, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Anupam Chauhan
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Rockingham Hospital, South Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Margherita Nicoletti
- Palliative Care, Rockingham Hospital, South Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Anton D Leonard
- Intensive Care, Royal Perth Bentley Group, East Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, WA, Australia
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Starr LT, Ulrich CM, Junker P, Huang L, O'Connor NR, Meghani SH. Patient Risk Factor Profiles Associated With the Timing of Goals-of-Care Consultation Before Death: A Classification and Regression Tree Analysis. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2020; 37:767-778. [PMID: 32602349 PMCID: PMC8962013 DOI: 10.1177/1049909120934292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early palliative care consultation ("PCC") to discuss goals-of-care benefits seriously ill patients. Risk factor profiles associated with the timing of conversations in hospitals, where late conversations most likely occur, are needed. OBJECTIVE To identify risk factor patient profiles associated with PCC timing before death. METHODS Secondary analysis of an observational study was conducted at an urban, academic medical center. Patients aged 18 years and older admitted to the medical center, who had PCC, and died July 1, 2014 to October 31, 2016, were included. Patients admitted for childbirth or rehabilitationand patients whose date of death was unknown were excluded. Classification and Regression Tree modeling was employed using demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS Of 1141 patients, 54% had PCC "close to death" (0-14 days before death); 26% had PCC 15 to 60 days before death; 21% had PCC >60 days before death (median 13 days before death). Variables associated with receiving PCC close to death included being Hispanic or "Other" race/ethnicity intensive care patients with extreme illness severity (85%), with age <46 or >75 increasing this probability (98%). Intensive care patients with extreme illness severity were also likely to receive PCC close to death (64%) as were 50% of intensive care patients with less than extreme illness severity. CONCLUSIONS A majority of patients received PCC close to death. A complex set of variable interactions were associated with PCC timing. A systematic process for engaging patients with PCC earlier in the care continuum, and in intensive care regardless of illness severity, is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren T Starr
- NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Bioethics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Connie M Ulrich
- NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Paul Junker
- Program for Clinical Effectiveness and Quality Improvement, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Liming Huang
- BECCA Lab, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nina R O'Connor
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Salimah H Meghani
- NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Starr LT, Ulrich CM, Junker P, Appel SM, O'Connor NR, Meghani SH. Goals-of-Care Consultation Associated With Increased Hospice Enrollment Among Propensity-Matched Cohorts of Seriously Ill African American and White Patients. J Pain Symptom Manage 2020; 60:801-810. [PMID: 32454185 PMCID: PMC7508853 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT African Americans are less likely to receive hospice care and more likely to receive aggressive end-of-life care than whites. Little is known about how palliative care consultation (PCC) to discuss goals of care is associated with hospice enrollment by race. OBJECTIVES To compare enrollment in hospice at discharge between propensity-matched cohorts of African Americans with and without PCC and whites with and without PCC. METHODS Secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort study at a high-acuity hospital; using stratified propensity-score matching for 35,154 African Americans and whites aged 18+ admitted for conditions other than childbirth or rehabilitation, who were not hospitalized at end of study, and did not die during index hospitalization (hospitalization during which first PCC occurred). RESULTS Compared with African Americans without PCC, African Americans with PCC were 15 times more likely to be discharged to hospice from index hospitalization (2.4% vs. 36.5%; P < 0.0001). Compared with white patients without PCC, white patients with PCC were 14 times more likely to be discharged to hospice from index hospitalization (3.0% vs. 42.7%; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION In propensity-matched cohorts of seriously ill patients, PCC to discuss goals of care was associated with significant increases in hospice enrollment at discharge among both African Americans and whites. Research is needed to understand how PCC influences decision making by race, how PCC is associated with postdischarge hospice outcomes such as disenrollment and hospice lengths of stay, and if PCC is associated with improving racial disparities in end-of-life care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren T Starr
- University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Center for Bioethics, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Connie M Ulrich
- University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Paul Junker
- Program for Clinical Effectiveness and Quality Improvement, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Scott M Appel
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nina R O'Connor
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Salimah H Meghani
- University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Dalhammar K, Malmström M, Schelin M, Falkenback D, Kristensson J. The impact of initial treatment strategy and survival time on quality of end-of-life care among patients with oesophageal and gastric cancer: A population-based cohort study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235045. [PMID: 32569329 PMCID: PMC7307755 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oesophageal and gastric cancer are highly lethal malignancies with a 5-year survival rate of 15-29%. More knowledge is needed about the quality of end-of-life care in order to understand the burden of the illness and the ability of the current health care system to deliver timely and appropriate end-of-life care. The aim of this study was to describe the impact of initial treatment strategy and survival time on the quality of end-of-life care among patients with oesophageal and gastric cancer. METHODS This register-based cohort study included patients who died from oesophageal and gastric cancer in Sweden during 2014-2016. Through linking data from the National Register for Esophageal and Gastric Cancer, the National Cause of Death Register, and the Swedish Register of Palliative Care, 2156 individuals were included. Associations between initial treatment strategy and survival time and end-of-life care quality indicators were investigated. Adjusted risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using modified Poisson regression. RESULTS Patients with a survival of ≤3 months and 4-7 months had higher RRs for hospital death compared to patients with a survival ≥17 months. Patients with a survival of ≤3 months also had a lower RR for end-of-life information and bereavement support compared to patients with a survival ≥17 months, while the risks of pain assessment and oral assessment were not associated with survival time. Compared to patients with curative treatment, patients with no tumour-directed treatment had a lower RR for pain assessment. No significant differences were shown between the treatment groups regarding hospital death, end-of-life information, oral health assessment, and bereavement support. CONCLUSIONS Short survival time is associated with several indicators of low quality end-of-life care among patients with oesophageal and gastric cancer, suggesting that a proactive palliative care approach is imperative to ensure quality end-of-life care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Dalhammar
- Institute for Palliative Care, Lund University and Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marlene Malmström
- Institute for Palliative Care, Lund University and Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria Schelin
- Institute for Palliative Care, Lund University and Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Dan Falkenback
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jimmie Kristensson
- Institute for Palliative Care, Lund University and Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Early Palliative Care Consultation in the Medical ICU: A Cluster Randomized Crossover Trial. Crit Care Med 2020; 47:1707-1715. [PMID: 31609772 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000004016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the impact of early triggered palliative care consultation on the outcomes of high-risk ICU patients. DESIGN Single-center cluster randomized crossover trial. SETTING Two medical ICUs at Barnes Jewish Hospital. PATIENTS Patients (n = 199) admitted to the medical ICUs from August 2017 to May 2018 with a positive palliative care screen indicating high risk for morbidity or mortality. INTERVENTIONS The medical ICUs were randomized to intervention or usual care followed by washout and crossover, with independent assignment of patients to each ICU at admission. Intervention arm patients received a palliative care consultation from an interprofessional team led by board-certified palliative care providers within 48 hours of ICU admission. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Ninety-seven patients (48.7%) were assigned to the intervention and 102 (51.3%) to usual care. Transition to do-not-resuscitate/do-not-intubate occurred earlier and significantly more often in the intervention group than the control group (50.5% vs 23.4%; p < 0.0001). The intervention group had significantly more transfers to hospice care (18.6% vs 4.9%; p < 0.01) with fewer ventilator days (median 4 vs 6 d; p < 0.05), tracheostomies performed (1% vs 7.8%; p < 0.05), and postdischarge emergency department visits and/or readmissions (17.3% vs 38.9%; p < 0.01). Although total operating cost was not significantly different, medical ICU (p < 0.01) and pharmacy (p < 0.05) operating costs were significantly lower in the intervention group. There was no significant difference in ICU length of stay (median 5 vs 5.5 d), hospital length of stay (median 10 vs 11 d), in-hospital mortality (22.6% vs 29.4%), or 30-day mortality between groups (35.1% vs 36.3%) (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Early triggered palliative care consultation was associated with greater transition to do-not-resuscitate/do-not-intubate and to hospice care, as well as decreased ICU and post-ICU healthcare resource utilization. Our study suggests that routine palliative care consultation may positively impact the care of high risk, critically ill patients.
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Wang XM, Swinton M, You JJ. Medical students' experiences with goals of care discussions and their impact on professional identity formation. MEDICAL EDUCATION 2019; 53:1230-1242. [PMID: 31750573 DOI: 10.1111/medu.14006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Goals of care (GoC) discussions occur amongst patients, family members and clinicians in order to establish plans of care and are invaluable aspects of end-of-life care. In previous research, medical learners have reported insufficient training and emotional distress about end-of-life decision making, but most studies have focused on postgraduate trainees and have been quantitative or have evaluated specific educational interventions. None have qualitatively explored medical students' experiences with GoC discussions, their perceptions of associated hidden curricula, and the impacts of these on professional identity formation (PIF), the individualised developmental processes by which laypersons evolve to think, act and feel like, and ultimately become, medical professionals. METHODS Using purposive sampling at one Canadian medical school, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 medical students to explore their experiences with GoC discussions during their core internal medicine clerkship. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed and anonymised. Concurrently with data collection, transcripts were analysed iteratively and inductively using interpretative phenomenological analysis, a qualitative research approach that allows the rich exploration of subjective experiences. RESULTS Participants reported minimal support and supervision in conducting GoC discussions, which were experienced as ethically challenging, emotionally powerful encounters exemplifying tensions between formal and hidden curricula. Role modelling and institutional culture were key mechanisms through which hidden curricula were transmitted, subverting formal curricula in doing so and contributing to participants' emotional distress. Participants' coping responses were generally negative and included symptoms of burnout, the pursuit of standardisation, rationalisation, compartmentalisation and the adaptation of previously held, more idealised professional identities. CONCLUSIONS GoC discussions in this study were often led by inexperienced medical students and impacted negatively on their PIF. Through complex emotional processes, they struggled to reconcile earlier concepts of physician identities with newly developing ones and often reluctantly adopted suboptimal professional behaviours and attitudes. Improved education about GoC discussions is necessary for patient care and may represent concrete and specific opportunities to influence students' PIF positively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuyi Mimi Wang
- Division of Geriatric Medicine Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Healthy Aging, St Peter's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marilyn Swinton
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - John J You
- Division of General Internal and Hospitalist Medicine, Department of Medicine, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Dueker JM, Luty J, Perry DA, Izumi S, Fromme EK, DiVeronica M. A Resident-Led Initiative to Increase Documentation of Surrogate Decision Makers for Hospitalized Patients. J Grad Med Educ 2019; 11:295-300. [PMID: 31210860 PMCID: PMC6570449 DOI: 10.4300/jgme-d-18-00812.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identification of surrogate decision makers (SDMs) is an important part of advance care planning for hospitalized patients. Despite its importance, the best methods for engaging residents to sustainably improve SDM documentation have not been identified. OBJECTIVE We implemented a hospital-wide quality improvement initiative to increase identification and documentation of SDMs in the electronic health record (EHR) for hospitalized patients, utilizing a Housestaff Quality and Safety Council (HQSC). METHODS EHR documentation of SDMs for all adult patients admitted to a tertiary academic hospital, excluding psychiatry, were tracked and grouped by specialty in a weekly run chart during the intervention period (July 2015 through April 2016). This also continued postintervention. Interventions included educational outreach for residents, monthly plan-do-study-act cycles based on performance feedback, and a financial incentive of a one-time payment of 0.75% of a resident's salary put into the retirement account of each resident, contingent on meeting an SDM documentation target. Comparisons were made using statistical process control and chi-square tests. RESULTS At baseline, SDMs were documented for 11.1% of hospitalized adults. The intervention period included 9146 eligible admissions. Hospital-wide SDM documentation increased significantly and peaked near the financial incentive deadline at 48% (196 of 407 admissions, P < 001). Postintervention, hospital-wide SDM documentation declined to 30% (134 of 446 admissions, P < .001), but remained stable. CONCLUSIONS This resident-led intervention sustainably increased documentation of SDMs, despite a decline from peak rates after the financial incentive period and notable differences in performance patterns by specialty admitting service.
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Starr LT, Ulrich CM, Corey KL, Meghani SH. Associations Among End-of-Life Discussions, Health-Care Utilization, and Costs in Persons With Advanced Cancer: A Systematic Review. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2019; 36:913-926. [PMID: 31072109 DOI: 10.1177/1049909119848148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aggressive end-of-life (EOL) care is associated with lower quality of life and greater regret about treatment decisions. Higher EOL costs are also associated with lower quality EOL care. Advance care planning and goals-of-care conversations ("EOL discussions") may influence EOL health-care utilization and costs among persons with cancer. OBJECTIVE To describe associations among EOL discussions, health-care utilization and place of death, and costs in persons with advanced cancer and explore variation in study measures. METHODS A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL. Twenty quantitative studies published between January 2012 and January 2019 were included. RESULTS End-of-life discussions are associated with lower health-care costs in the last 30 days of life (median US$1048 vs US$23482; P < .001); lower likelihood of acute care at EOL (odds ratio [(OR] ranging 0.43-0.69); lower likelihood of intensive care at EOL (ORs ranging 0.26-0.68); lower odds of chemotherapy near death (ORs 0.41, 0.57); lower odds of emergency department use and shorter length of hospital stay; greater use of hospice (ORs ranging 1.79 to 6.88); and greater likelihood of death outside the hospital. Earlier EOL discussions (30+ days before death) are more strongly associated with less aggressive care outcomes than conversations occurring near death. CONCLUSIONS End-of-life discussions are associated with less aggressive, less costly EOL care. Clinicians should initiate these discussions with patients having cancer earlier to better align care with preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren T Starr
- 1 NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,2 Penn Center for Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,3 Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,4 University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Connie M Ulrich
- 1 NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,4 University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,5 Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kristin L Corey
- 1 NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,4 University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Salimah H Meghani
- 1 NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,3 Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,4 University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Hanning J, Walker KJ, Horrigan D, Levinson M, Mills A. Review article: Goals‐of‐care discussions for adult patients nearing end of life in emergency departments: A systematic review. Emerg Med Australas 2019; 31:525-532. [DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Hanning
- Emergency DepartmentCabrini Hospital Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Melbourne Medical SchoolThe University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Katherine J Walker
- Emergency DepartmentCabrini Hospital Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive MedicineMonash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | | | | | - Amber Mills
- Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Cabrini Institute Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Bolton Clarke Research Institute Melbourne Victoria Australia
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26
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Geriatric palliative care: Meeting the needs of a growing population. Geriatr Nurs 2017; 39:225-229. [PMID: 29042070 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The implementation of effective geriatric palliative care (PC) services will be increasingly important as the number of patients ages ≥65 years continues to grow. However, literature characterizing the utilization of PC services by older adults remains scant. The objective of these analyses was to characterize the nature and outcomes of PC services for older adults. A retrospective analysis of records of inpatient PC consultations provided to patients ≥65 years at an academic hospital was performed (N = 743). Logistic regressions identified factors associated with goals of care discussions (GOC), end-of-life (EOL) coordination, and hospital readmission. Differences between older adult subgroups (i.e., 65-84 years and 85 years and older) were also examined. Discharge to home was associated with higher odds of readmission and discharge to hospice or having a GOC discussion was associated with lower odds of readmission. Those patients who were 85 years or older were significantly less likely to have cancer or to be referred for pain management, and more likely to be referred for GOC discussions and discharged to hospice. This study revealed dynamic factors associated with PC consultation for older adults. GOC discussions in initial PC consultations for older patients might reduce the odds of hospital readmission. Additionally, the needs of patients ages 85 and older appear distinct from the traditional PC cancer model.
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