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Levy C, Esmaeili A, Smith D, Hogikyan RV, Periyakoil VS, Carpenter JG, Sales A, Phibbs CS, Murray A, Ersek M. Life-sustaining treatment decisions and family evaluations of end-of-life care for Veteran decedents in Department of Veterans Affairs nursing homes. J Am Geriatr Soc 2024. [PMID: 38970392 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.19050] [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: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Modeled after the Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment program, the Veterans Health Administration (VA) implemented the Life-Sustaining Treatment (LST) Decisions Initiative to improve end-of-life outcomes by standardizing LST preference documentation for seriously ill Veterans. This study examined the associations between LST documentation and family evaluation of care in the final month of life for Veterans in VA nursing homes. METHODS Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of data for decedents in VA nursing homes between July 1, 2018 and January 31, 2020 (N = 14,575). Regression modeling generated odds for key end-of-life outcomes and family ratings of care quality. RESULTS LST preferences were documented for 12,928 (89%) of VA nursing home decedents. Contrary to our hypothesis, neither receipt of wanted medications and medical treatment (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63, 1.16) nor ratings of overall care in the last month of life (adjusted OR: 0.96, 95% CI 0.76, 1.22) differed significantly between those with and without completed LST templates in adjusted analyses. CONCLUSIONS Among Community Living Center (CLC) decedents, 89% had documented LST preferences. No significant differences were observed in family ratings of care between Veterans with and without documentation of LST preferences. Interventions aimed at improving family ratings of end-of-life care quality in CLCs should not target LST documentation in isolation of other factors associated with higher family ratings of end-of-life care quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cari Levy
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Aryan Esmaeili
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Dawn Smith
- Veteran Experience Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert V Hogikyan
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor VA Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Joan G Carpenter
- Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anne Sales
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Sinclair School of Nursing and Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Ciaran S Phibbs
- Department of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA
| | - Andrew Murray
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Department of Veterans Affairs, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mary Ersek
- Veteran Experience Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Department of Veterans Affairs, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Feder SL, Zhan Y, Abel EA, Smith D, Ersek M, Fried T, Redeker NS, Akgün KM. Validation of Electronic Health Record-Based Algorithms to Identify Specialist Palliative Care Within the Department of Veterans Affairs. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 66:e475-e483. [PMID: 37364737 PMCID: PMC10527602 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The measurement of specialist palliative care (SPC) across Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities relies on algorithms applied to administrative databases. However, the validity of these algorithms has not been systematically assessed. MEASURES In a cohort of people with heart failure identified by ICD 9/10 codes, we validated the performance of algorithms to identify SPC consultation in administrative data and differentiate outpatient from inpatient encounters. INTERVENTION We derived separate samples of people by receipt of SPC using combinations of stop codes signifying specific clinics, current procedural terminology (CPT), a variable representing encounter location, and ICD-9/ICD-10 codes for SPC. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) for each algorithm using chart review as the reference standard. OUTCOMES Among 200 people who did and did not receive SPC (mean age = 73.9 years (standard deviation [SD] = 11.5), 98% male, 73% White), the validity of the stop code plus CPT algorithm to identify any SPC consultation was: Sensitivity = 0.89 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.82-0.94), Specificity = 1.0 [0.96-1.0], PPV = 1.0 [0.96-1.0], NPV = 0.93 [0.86-0.97]. The addition of ICD codes increased sensitivity but decreased specificity. Among 200 people who received SPC (mean age = 74.2 years [SD = 11.8], 99% male, 71% White), algorithm performance in differentiating outpatient from inpatient encounters was: Sensitivity = 0.95 (0.88-0.99), Specificity = 0.81 (0.72-0.87), PPV = 0.38 (0.29-0.49), and NPV = 0.99 (0.95-1.0). Adding encounter location improved the sensitivity and specificity of this algorithm. CONCLUSIONS VA algorithms are highly sensitive and specific in identifying SPC and in differentiating outpatient from inpatient encounters. These algorithms can be used with confidence to measure SPC in quality improvement and research across the VA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelli L Feder
- Yale School of Nursing (S.L.F., Y.Z.), Orange, Connecticut, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System (S.L.F., E.A.A., T.F., K.M.A.), West Haven, Connecticut, USA.
| | - Yan Zhan
- Yale School of Nursing (S.L.F., Y.Z.), Orange, Connecticut, USA
| | - Erica A Abel
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System (S.L.F., E.A.A., T.F., K.M.A.), West Haven, Connecticut, USA; Yale School of Medicine (E.A.C., T.F., K.M.A.), Orange, Connecticut, USA
| | - Dawn Smith
- Veterans Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center (D.S., M.E.), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mary Ersek
- Veterans Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center (D.S., M.E.), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (M.E.), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Terri Fried
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System (S.L.F., E.A.A., T.F., K.M.A.), West Haven, Connecticut, USA; Yale School of Medicine (E.A.C., T.F., K.M.A.), Orange, Connecticut, USA; Yale Program on Aging (T.F.), New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nancy S Redeker
- University of Connecticut School of Nursing (N.S.R.), Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kathleen M Akgün
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System (S.L.F., E.A.A., T.F., K.M.A.), West Haven, Connecticut, USA; Yale School of Medicine (E.A.C., T.F., K.M.A.), Orange, Connecticut, USA
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Tung HJ, Yeh MC. Use of Advance Directives in US Veterans and Non-Veterans: Findings from the Decedents of the Health and Retirement Study 1992-2014. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:1824. [PMID: 37444658 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11131824] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence shows that older patients with advance directives such as a living will, or durable power of attorney for healthcare, are more likely to receive care consistent with their preferences at the end of life. Less is known about the use of advance directives between veteran and non-veteran older Americans. Using data from the decedents of a longitudinal survey, we explore whether there is a difference in having an established advance directive between the veteran and non-veteran decedents. Data were taken from the Harmonized End of Life data sets, a linked collection of variables derived from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) Exit Interview. Only male decedents were included in the current analysis (N = 4828). The dependent variable, having an established advance directive, was measured by asking the proxy, "whether the deceased respondent ever provided written instructions about the treatment or care he/she wanted to receive during the final days of his/her life" and "whether the deceased respondent had a Durable Power of Attorney for healthcare?" A "yes" to either of the two items was counted as having an advance directive. The independent variable, veteran status, was determined by asking participants, "Have you ever served in the active military of the United States?" at their first HRS core interview. Logistic regression was used to predict the likelihood of having an established advance directive. While there was no difference in having an advance directive between male veteran and non-veteran decedents during the earlier follow-up period (from 1992 to 2003), male veterans who died during the second half of the study period (from 2004 to 2014) were more likely to have an established advance directive than their non-veteran counterparts (OR = 1.24, p < 0.05). Other factors positively associated with having an established advance directive include dying at older ages, higher educational attainment, needing assistance in activities of daily living and being bedridden three months before death, while Black decedents and those who were married were less likely to have an advance directive in place. Our findings suggest male veterans were more likely to have an established advance directive, an indicator for better end-of-life care, than their non-veteran counterparts. This observed difference coincides with a time when the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) increased its investment in end-of-life care. More studies are needed to confirm if this higher utilization of advance directives and care planning among veterans can be attributed to the improved access and quality of end-of-life care in the VHA system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Jui Tung
- Department of Health Policy and Community Health, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, P.O. Box 8015, Statesboro, GA 30460-8015, USA
| | - Ming-Chin Yeh
- Nutrition Program, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY 10065, USA
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Levy C, Esmaeili A, Smith D, Hogikyan R, Periyakoil V, Carpenter JG, Sales A, Ersek M. Family members' experience improves with care preference documentation in home based primary care. J Am Geriatr Soc 2021; 69:3576-3583. [PMID: 34390489 PMCID: PMC9794361 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Veterans Health Administration (VA) implemented the comprehensive life-sustaining treatment (LST) Decisions Initiative to provide training and standardize documentation of goals of care and LST preferences for seriously ill Veterans to improve end-of-life (EOL) outcomes. LST documentation is expected for all Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) Veterans because they are at high risk of hospitalization and mortality. METHODS A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis compared associations between Bereaved Family Survey (BFS) EOL care ratings and LST documentation. Participants were Veterans who died August 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019 in one of 55 VA HBPC programs. Regression modeling generated odds for key BFS outcomes. LST template completion rate was plotted by month to understand the interaction between time, LST completion rate, and EOL care family ratings. RESULTS LST preferences were documented for 39% of HBPC Veterans. Family members rated overall EOL care as excellent for 53% of Veterans but significant divergence in BFS ratings occurred during the last 7 months of the study with 60% of family members of LST completers rating care as excellent compared with 48% for Veterans lacking LST documentation (p = 0.003). The adjusted odds of rating overall care in the final month of life as excellent was higher among those with a completed LST template (1.64 95% CI 1.19, 2.26). CONCLUSIONS Higher rates of LST documentation were associated with more favorable ratings of EOL but not in initial months following implementation of the comprehensive initiative; however, LST documentation rates were lower than expected among HBPC Veterans. Following an initial period of implementation of a comprehensive national initiative to promote Veteran choice about care during serious illness, documented LST preferences were associated with better family ratings of EOL care. HBPC clinicians may improve the bereaved family experience by using LSDTI tools and training to elicit and document preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cari Levy
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA,University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Aryan Esmaeili
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Dawn Smith
- Veteran Experience Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA,University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert Hogikyan
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor VA Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | | | - Anne Sales
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Mary Ersek
- Veteran Experience Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA,University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA,Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Department of Veterans Affairs, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Ersek M, Smith D, Griffin H, Carpenter JG, Feder SL, Shreve ST, Nelson FX, Kinder D, Thorpe JM, Kutney-Lee A. End-Of-Life Care in the Time of COVID-19: Communication Matters More Than Ever. J Pain Symptom Manage 2021; 62:213-222.e2. [PMID: 33412269 PMCID: PMC7784540 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in visitation restrictions across most health care settings, necessitating the use of remote communication to facilitate communication among families, patients and health care teams. OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of remote communication on families' evaluation of end-of-life care during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Retrospective, cross-sectional, mixed methods study using data from an after-death survey administered from March 17-June 30, 2020. The primary outcome was the next of kin's global assessment of care during the Veteran's last month of life. RESULTS Data were obtained from the next-of-kin of 328 Veterans who died in an inpatient unit (i.e., acute care, intensive care, nursing home, hospice units) in one of 37 VA medical centers with the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases. The adjusted percentage of bereaved families reporting excellent overall end-of-life care was statistically significantly higher among those reporting Very Effective remote communication compared to those reporting that remote communication was Mostly, Somewhat, or Not at All Effective (69.5% vs. 35.7%). Similar differences were observed in evaluations of remote communication effectiveness with the health care team. Overall, 81.3% of family members who offered positive comments about communication with either the Veteran or the health care team reported excellent overall end-of-life care vs. 28.4% who made negative comments. CONCLUSIONS Effective remote communication with the patient and the health care team was associated with significantly better ratings of the overall experience of end-of-life care by bereaved family members. Our findings offer timely insights into the importance of remote communication strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Ersek
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Dawn Smith
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hilary Griffin
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joan G Carpenter
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shelli L Feder
- Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; VA Connecticut Health Care System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Scott T Shreve
- Palliative and Hospice Care Program, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Francis X Nelson
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel Kinder
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joshua M Thorpe
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Pittsburgh VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ann Kutney-Lee
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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6
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Feder SL, Tate J, Ersek M, Krishnan S, Chaudhry SI, Bastian LA, Rolnick J, Kutney-Lee A, Akgün KM. The Association Between Hospital End-of-Life Care Quality and the Care Received Among Patients With Heart Failure. J Pain Symptom Manage 2021; 61:713-722.e1. [PMID: 32931904 PMCID: PMC7952458 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Improving end-of-life care (EOLC) quality among heart failure patients is imperative. Data are limited as to the hospital processes of care that facilitate this goal. OBJECTIVES To determine associations between hospital-level EOLC quality ratings and the EOLC delivered to heart failure patients. METHODS Retrospective analysis of the Veterans Health Administration (VA) and the Bereaved Family Survey data of heart failure patients from 2013 to 2015 who died in 107 VA hospitals. We calculated hospital-level observed-to-expected casemix-adjusted ratios of family reported excellent EOLC, dividing hospitals into quintiles. Using logistic regression, we examined associations between quintiles and palliative care consultation, receipt of chaplain and bereavement services, inpatient hospice, and intensive care unit death. RESULTS Of 6256 patients, mean age was 77.4 (SD = 11.1), 98.3% were male, 75.7% were white, and 18.2% were black. Median hospital scores of "excellent" EOLC ranged from 41.3% (interquartile range 37.0%-44.8%) in the lowest quintile to 76.4% (interquartile range 72.9%-80.3%) in the highest quintile. Patients who died in hospitals in the highest quintile, relative to the lowest, were slightly although not significantly more likely to receive a palliative care consultation (adjusted proportions 57.6% vs. 51.2%; P = 0.32) but were more likely to receive chaplaincy (92.6% vs. 81.2%), bereavement (86.0% vs. 72.2%), and hospice (59.7% vs. 35.9%) and were less likely to die in the intensive care unit (15.9% vs. 31.0%; P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION Patients with heart failure who die in VA hospitals with higher overall EOLC quality receive more supportive EOLC. Research is needed that integrates care processes and develops scalable best practices in EOLC across health care systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelli L Feder
- Yale University School of Nursing, West Haven, Connecticut, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.
| | - Janet Tate
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mary Ersek
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | - Lori A Bastian
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA; Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Joshua Rolnick
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ann Kutney-Lee
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kathleen M Akgün
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA; Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Boyden JY, Feudtner C, Deatrick JA, Widger K, LaRagione G, Lord B, Ersek M. Developing a family-reported measure of experiences with home-based pediatric palliative and hospice care: a multi-method, multi-stakeholder approach. BMC Palliat Care 2021; 20:17. [PMID: 33446192 PMCID: PMC7809872 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-020-00703-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many children with serious illnesses are receiving palliative and end-of-life care from pediatric palliative and hospice care teams at home (PPHC@Home). Despite the growth in PPHC@Home, no standardized measures exist to evaluate whether PPHC@Home provided in the U.S. meets the needs and priorities of children and their families. Methods We developed and conducted a preliminary evaluation of a family-reported measure of PPHC@Home experiences using a multi-method, multi-stakeholder approach. Our instrument development process consisted of four phases. Item identification and development (Phase 1) involved a comprehensive literature search of existing instruments, guidelines, standards of practice, and PPHC@Home outcome studies, as well as guidance from a PPHC stakeholder panel. Phase 2 involved the initial item prioiritization and reduction using a discrete choice experiment (DCE) with PPHC professionals and parent advocates. Phase 3 involved a second DCE with bereaved parents and parents currently receiving care for their child to further prioritize and winnow the items to a set of the most highly-valued items. Finally, we conducted cognitive interviews with parents to provide information about the content validity and clarity of the newly-developed instrument (Phase 4). Results Items were compiled predominantly from three existing instruments. Phase 2 participants included 34 PPHC providers, researchers, and parent advocates; Phase 3 participants included 47 parents; and Phase 4 participants included 11 parents. At the completion of Phase 4, the Experiences of Palliative and Hospice Care for Children and Caregivers at Home (EXPERIENCE@Home) Measure contains 22 of the most highly-valued items for evaluating PPHC@Home. These items include “The care team treats my child’s physical symptoms so that my child has as good a quality of life as possible”, “I have regular access to on-call services from our care team”, and “The nurses have the knowledge, skills, and experience to support my child’s palliative or hospice care at home.” Conclusions The EXPERIENCE@Home Measure is the first known to specifically measure family-reported experiences with PPHC@Home in the U.S. Future work will include formal psychometric evaluation with a larger sample of parents, as well as evaluation of the clinical utility of the instrument with PPHC@Home teams. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12904-020-00703-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackelyn Y Boyden
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Chris Feudtner
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Janet A Deatrick
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kimberley Widger
- Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gwenn LaRagione
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Blyth Lord
- Courageous Parents Network, Newton, MA, USA
| | - Mary Ersek
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, 21 S University Ave, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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8
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Feder S, Smith D, Griffin H, Shreve ST, Kinder D, Kutney-Lee A, Ersek M. "Why Couldn't I Go in To See Him?" Bereaved Families' Perceptions of End-of-Life Communication During COVID-19. J Am Geriatr Soc 2021; 69:587-592. [PMID: 33320956 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in rapid changes to end-of-life care for hospitalized older adults and their families, including visitation restrictions. We examined bereaved families' perceptions of the quality of end-of-life communication among Veterans, families and staff in Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN Qualitative descriptive study using data from a survey of bereaved family members of Veterans administered from March-June 2020. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. SETTING VA medical centers with the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases during the study period. PARTICIPANTS Next-of-kin of 328 Veterans who died in one of 37 VA medical centers' acute care, intensive care, nursing home, or hospice units. MEASUREMENTS Open-ended survey questions (response rate = 37%) about family member's perceptions of: (1) communication with the healthcare team about the patient, (2) communication with the patient, and (3) use of remote communication technologies. RESULTS Bereaved family members identified contextual factors perceived to impact communication quality including: allowing family at the bedside when death is imminent, fears that the patient died alone, and overall perceptions of VA care. Characteristics of perceived high-quality communication included staff availability for remote communication and being kept informed of the patient's condition and plan of care. Low-quality communication with staff was perceived to result from limited access to staff, insufficient updates regarding the patient's condition, and when the family member was not consulted about care decision-making. Communication quality with the patient was facilitated or impeded by the availability and use of video-enabled remote technologies. CONCLUSION Communication between patients, families, and healthcare teams at the end of life remains critically important during times of limited in-person visitation. Families report that low-quality communication causes profound distress that can affect the quality of dying and bereavement. Innovative strategies are needed to ensure that high-quality communication occurs despite pandemic-related visitation restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelli Feder
- Yale University School of Nursing, Orange, Connecticut, USA.,VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Dawn Smith
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hilary Griffin
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Scott T Shreve
- Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.,Palliative and Hospice Care Program, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Daniel Kinder
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ann Kutney-Lee
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mary Ersek
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Carpenter JG, Ersek M, Nelson F, Kinder D, Wachterman M, Smith D, Murray A, Garrido MM. A National Study of End-of-Life Care among Older Veterans with Hearing and Vision Loss. J Am Geriatr Soc 2019; 68:817-825. [PMID: 31886557 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hearing and visual sensory loss is prevalent among older adults and may impact the quality of healthcare they receive. Few studies have examined sensory loss and end-of-life (EOL) care quality. Our aim was to describe hearing and vision loss and their associations with the quality of EOL care and family perception of care in the last 30 days of life among a national sample of veteran decedents. DESIGN Retrospective medical record review and Bereaved Family Survey (BFS). SETTING Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers (N = 145). PARTICIPANTS Medical record review of all veterans who died in an inpatient VA Medical Center between October 2012 and September 2017 (N = 96 424). Survey results included 42 428 individuals. MEASUREMENTS Three indicators of high-quality EOL care were measured: palliative consultation in the last 90 days of life, death in a non-acute setting, and contact with a chaplain. The BFS reflects a global evaluation of quality of EOL care; pain and posttraumatic stress disorder management; and three subscales characterizing perceptions regarding communication, emotional and spiritual support, and information about death benefits in the last month of life. RESULTS In adjusted models, EOL care quality indicators and BFS outcomes for veterans with hearing loss were similar to those for veterans without hearing loss; however, we noted slightly lower scores for pain management and less satisfaction with communication. Veterans with vision loss were less likely to have received a palliative care consult or contact with a chaplain than those without vision loss. Although BFS respondents for veterans with vision loss were less likely than respondents for veterans without vision loss to report excellent overall care and satisfaction with emotional support, other outcomes did not differ. CONCLUSION In general, the VA is meeting the EOL care needs of veterans with hearing and vision loss through palliative care practices. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:817-825, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan G Carpenter
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Mary Ersek
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Francis Nelson
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Daniel Kinder
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Melissa Wachterman
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts.,Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dawn Smith
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andrew Murray
- Veteran Experience Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Melissa M Garrido
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts.,Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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Smith D, Thorpe JM, Ersek M, Kutney-Lee A. Identifying Optimal Factor Scores on the Bereaved Family Survey: Implications for Practice and Policy. J Pain Symptom Manage 2019; 58:108-114. [PMID: 30980885 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The Bereaved Family Survey (BFS) is used to evaluate the quality of end-of-life (EOL) care in Veterans Affairs inpatient settings. The BFS consists of a global Performance Measure (BFS-PM) and three factors that relate to specific aspects of EOL care. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to identify empirically based target scores on each BFS factor that are most strongly related to a rating of "excellent" on the BFS-PM. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of BFS and Veteran clinical data from January 2012 to January 2016. Logistic regression models were constructed for each potential cut point on the three BFS factors and accounted for facility case-mix and nonresponse bias. Model fit was assessed primarily using the Liu Index, Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), and classification accuracy values. RESULTS Our analytic sample included 40,180 Veterans whose next-of-kin completed a BFS. The mean BFS response rate across study years was 58%. A score of 14 or higher on the Respectful Care and Communication factor (range 0-15) had the lowest BIC (121355) and highest percent correctly classified (81.2%). The Emotional and Spiritual Support factor (range 0-9) had an optimal score of 8 or higher (BIC = 133685; % correctly classified = 77.1%). An optimal cut point on the Benefits factor was not identified. CONCLUSION The identification of data-driven targets makes BFS factor scores more useful to clinicians and administrators focused on improving quality of EOL care in their facilities. Our results lend support for prioritizing quality improvement efforts related to respectful care and communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Smith
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Joshua M Thorpe
- VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mary Ersek
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ann Kutney-Lee
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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