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Cagle JG, Zhang P, Clem S. Estimating the Impact of Hospice Care on Key Patient-Family Care Outcomes Using a Nationwide U.S. Probability Sample. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2024; 41:978-986. [PMID: 37989148 DOI: 10.1177/10499091231218261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hospice is touted as an exemplary model for end-of-life care. However, there is little generalizable evidence estimating benefits of hospice at the national level. Using a national population-based probability sample of U.S. adults with weights applied (data collected Spring/Summer 2015), we conducted six logistic regression models to evaluate linkages between hospice involvement and end-of-life outcomes (pain, home death, presence of family, access to life-prolonging care, respect for spiritual/religious beliefs, financial burden) from N = 235 informal caregivers of decedents prior to death. Respondents were M = 55 years old (SD = 17), 55% female, 77% White, 91% non-Hispanic, and 71% had cared for a hospice recipient. In fully adjusted analyses, hospice users had better reported outcomes observed in two models: (a.) presence of family/friends at death (OR = 2.82, SE = .48, P < .05), and (b.) respect for spiritual/religious beliefs (OR = 9.52, SE = .73, P < .01). Hospice utilization was not statistically significant (P > .05) in all other adjusted models. Although more research is needed, findings support claims that hospice remains a high quality option for end-of-life care in the U.S.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Cagle
- University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Peiyuan Zhang
- University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sarah Clem
- University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Butler E, Hanson C, Khan T, Mwarumba T, Daniels D, Turchan M, Bonnet K, Schlundt D, Harper K, Bennett M, Charles D. The Efficacy of Hospice-In-Place Care Versus Traditional Inpatient Care. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2024; 41:863-872. [PMID: 37651687 DOI: 10.1177/10499091231199722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The hospice-in-place program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is available to patients and families who elect for hospice benefits and are too unstable to be transported for hospice care. The goal of this study was to assess the satisfaction of family members of patients who died while hospitalized at VUMC and received hospice-in-place compared to the families of patients who did not receive hospice care. Methods: Next-of-kin satisfaction was measured through the administration of qualitative interviews and quantitative questionnaires. Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, and transcripts were analyzed using an iterative inductive-deductive approach to develop a conceptual framework. Participants were also asked to respond to a 10-question satisfaction questionnaire. Results: Forty participants were enrolled: 20 next-of-kin of patients who received hospice-in-place and 20 next-of-kin of patients who passed without hospice. Factors influencing satisfaction were organized into a conceptual framework with three categories: individual-level factors, systems-level factors, and modifying factors. For the questionnaires, the hospice-in-place group had a mean satisfaction score of 4.54 (0.76) out of five, while the non-hospice group had a mean score of 4.14 (1.00). A comparison of the two groups' responses did not show a statistically significant difference (P = 0.06). Discussion: Quantitative findings of this study showed improved satisfaction but were unable to show a significant difference in satisfaction with hospice-in-place compared to traditional care. Questionnaire results suggest that both types of care yield high satisfaction scores and are successfully supporting patients and families. The conceptual framework also adds to the understanding of end-of-life experiences at VUMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Butler
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Claire Hanson
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Tuzo Mwarumba
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Maxim Turchan
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kemberlee Bonnet
- Qualitative Research Core, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - David Schlundt
- Qualitative Research Core, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kelly Harper
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Marc Bennett
- Department of Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - David Charles
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Hemrajani A, Lo S, Vahlkamp A, Silva A, Limaye S. Concurrent Hospice Healthcare Utilization in the Hematology/Oncology Veteran's Affairs Patient Population. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2024; 41:906-910. [PMID: 37846638 DOI: 10.1177/10499091231206561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Concurrent care is a unique care delivery system that allows patients to receive disease modifying treatments and other supportive interventions while also receiving the traditional benefits of hospice care. The objectives of our observational study were to examine health care utilization, use of cancer-directed therapies and palliative interventions, and location of death in patients enrolled in concurrent care. Methods: 72 hematology-oncology patients at the Hines Veteran's Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) who enrolled in concurrent care from 12/2018-4/2021 were reviewed. Data were summarized with descriptive statistics including medians and percentages. Results: A minority of patients received cytotoxic chemotherapy (27.8%), immunotherapy (20.8%), palliative radiation (20.9%), blood products (11.1%), or invasive pain procedures (4.2%). Patients also used fewer cancer-directed treatments as they approached end of life (24.4% within 30 days of death compared to 13.3% within 14 days of death). Most patients died at home (62.9%) or in inpatient hospice (12.9%) as opposed to the hospital (2.9%). Conclusions: A minority of concurrent care patients received cancer-directed therapies or additional types of health care interventions despite the option to do so. Cancer-directed treatment utilization also decreased as patients approached end of life. Patients enrolled in concurrent care were able to appreciate its benefits for longer, as the average length of stay on concurrent care was nearly 3 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshu Hemrajani
- Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA
- Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Shelly Lo
- Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA
| | | | - Abigail Silva
- Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA
- Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL. USA
| | - Seema Limaye
- Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA
- Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA
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4
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Wang W, Li Z, Hu J, Xiao Y, Xu J, Gui C. Effect of hospice care on negative emotion and psychological stress of main caregivers in patients with advanced lung cancer. Minerva Surg 2024; 79:482-484. [PMID: 34790931 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5691.21.09214-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Wang
- Tongji Medical College, Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Tongji Medical College, Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Hu
- Tongji Medical College, Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China -
| | - Yihui Xiao
- Tongji Medical College, Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Tongji Medical College, Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chen Gui
- Tongji Medical College, Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Klaiman T, Steckel J, Hearn C, Diana A, Ferrell WJ, Emanuel EJ, Navathe AS, Parikh RB. Hospice Administrators' and Providers' Perspectives on Providing Upstream Palliative Care: Facilitators, Barriers, and Policy Prescriptions. J Palliat Med 2024. [PMID: 39069886 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2024.0138] [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: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Among patients with serious illness, palliative care before hospice enrollment is associated with improved quality of life, reduced symptom burden, and earlier transitions to hospice. However, fewer than half of eligible patients receive specialty palliative care referrals. As most hospice clinicians and administrators have experience in specialty palliative care, several emerging programs propose engaging hospice clinicians to provide early palliative care. Objective: We sought to identify barriers and facilitators to upstream palliative care. Design: We conducted a key informant qualitative study among hospice administrators and clinicians. Setting/Subjects: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 23 hospice administrators and clinicians in eight states from March to August 2022. We identified participants using snowball and purposive sampling using states that participate in Medicare Advantage's value-based insurance design Model. Results: Respondents indicated that barriers to early palliative care included inadequate staffing and reimbursement. Hospice clinicians providing community-based palliative care can address access barriers and improve transitions to hospice. Respondents expressed desire for payer guidance in identifying eligible patients but were cautious about payers acting as direct palliative care providers. However, payers could facilitate uptake by broadening and specifying coverage of services to include goals of care conversations and symptom management. Routine referrals initiated by objective measures could potentially increase access. Conclusions: Utilizing hospice providers to provide upstream palliative care can increase access, improve outcomes, and ease the transition to hospice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Klaiman
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jenna Steckel
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Caleb Hearn
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amaya Diana
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - William J Ferrell
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ezekiel J Emanuel
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amol S Navathe
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ravi B Parikh
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Wachterman MW, Sinha A, Leveille T, Waikar SS, Widera E, Romero K, Bokhour B. Nephrologists' perspectives and experiences with hospice among older adults with end-stage kidney disease. J Am Geriatr Soc 2024; 72:2060-2069. [PMID: 38777614 PMCID: PMC11226377 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospice care leads to improved patient and family outcomes. Hospice use among older adults with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is markedly lower than among older adults with other serious illnesses, and the majority of those with ESKD who use hospice enroll in the last days of life. Here, our aim was to explore barriers to timely receipt of high-quality hospice care for older adults with ESKD. METHODS Utilizing a qualitative study design, we conducted a secondary analysis focused on hospice, a theme that we identified in our larger overarching study that involved semi-structured interviews with 20 nephrologists in the United States focused on treatment decision-making in older adults with advanced chronic kidney disease. We analyzed the interview transcripts using emergent thematic analysis to develop an understanding of barriers to high-quality hospice. RESULTS With a couple notable exceptions, nephrologists voiced general support for the concept of hospice, but few recalled patients of theirs who had received hospice. Nephrologists' interviews revealed two interrelated contributors to the lack of timely access to high-quality hospice care for seriously ill older adults with ESKD: (1) nephrologists view dialysis and hospice as mutually exclusive models of care; (2) nephrologists feel unsure who should manage hospice care for patients with ESKD. The first contributor was rooted in nephrologists' narrow vision of when to consider hospice (informed, in part, by policy barriers) and, in a couple of cases, strong discomfort with hospice. The second stemmed from nephrologists' belief that neither they nor hospice are adequately prepared to provide hospice care for ESKD. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that, in addition to Medicare policy change, nephrologists need to receive more training in primary palliative care skills including in indications for hospice, initiating conversations about hospice with patients, and collaborating with hospice clinicians to care for these vulnerable patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa W Wachterman
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Veterans Affairs Boston Health Care System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Sushrut S Waikar
- Section of Nephrology, Boston Medical Center and Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eric Widera
- Division of Geriatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Division of Palliative Care, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kai Romero
- Division of Palliative Care, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- By the Bay Health, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Barbara Bokhour
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation of Research, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA
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Wu WD, Wang Y, Fu XY, Zhang JH, Zhang CY, Mao XL, Li SW. Qualitative study on the perception of good death in patients with end-stage cancer in oncology nurses. BMC Nurs 2024; 23:431. [PMID: 38918784 PMCID: PMC11201785 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-02081-x] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the perception of good death of patients with end-stage cancer by nurses in the oncology department. METHOD In the study we used a phenomenological approach and semi-structured interviews. A total of 11 nurses from the oncology department of a Grade A hospital in Taizhou were interviewed on the cognition of good death from July 1 to September 30, 2022. Colaizzi's analysis method was used to analyse the interview data. This study followed the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ). RESULT Four themes were identified: a strong sense of responsibility and mission; To sustain hope and faith; The important role of family members; Improve patients' quality of life. CONCLUSION The nurses in the department of oncology have a low level of knowledge about the "good death", and the correct understanding and view of the "good death" is the premise of the realization of " good death". The ability of nursing staff to improve the "good death", attention, and meet the needs and wishes of individuals and families, is the guarantee of the realization of "good death".
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Dan Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Techniques & Rapid Rehabilitation of Digestive System Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Techniques & Rapid Rehabilitation of Digestive System Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xin-Yu Fu
- Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jin-Hua Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chen-Yang Zhang
- Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xin-Li Mao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China.
- Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Techniques & Rapid Rehabilitation of Digestive System Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China.
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Shao-Wei Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China.
- Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Techniques & Rapid Rehabilitation of Digestive System Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China.
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Hoff T, Trovato K, Kitsakos A. Hospice Satisfaction Among Patients, Family, and Caregivers: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2024; 41:691-705. [PMID: 37467032 DOI: 10.1177/10499091231190778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Hospice care is an underused form of intervention at the end of life. The experiences of patients, families, and other caregivers are important to consider in thinking about how to encourage greater use of hospice care, through policies and advocacy that promote its benefits. Specifically, patient, family, and other caregiver satisfaction with hospice care is important to understand better. Methods: A PRISMA-guided review of the research on hospice care satisfaction and its correlates among patients, families, and other caregivers. Included in the review is research published over the time period 2000-2023 identifying a hospice care satisfaction finding. Results: Thirty-eight studies were included in the review. Key findings were: (a) higher levels of hospice care satisfaction among patients, families, and other caregivers; and (b) correlates of hospice care satisfaction falling into the categories of communication, comfort, and support. The published literature had fewer findings related to demographic correlates of satisfaction such as age or race/ethnicity and was lacking in comparative research examining satisfaction across different types of hospice care settings. Discussion: Extant research demonstrates a consistently higher level of hospice care satisfaction among patients, families, and other caregivers. This satisfaction appears related to specific aspects of care delivery that involve effective care coordination and communication; pain and symptom management; and emotional support. Strengthening future research involves testing additional interventions aimed at enhancing satisfaction; including more comparative research across hospice care settings; and more studies that include patients as the key respondents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Hoff
- D'Amore-McKim School of Business and School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
- Green-Templeton College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kathryn Trovato
- Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aliya Kitsakos
- School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
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Weisse CS, Melekis K, Cheng A, Konda AK, Major A. Mixed-Methods Study of End-of-Life Experiences of Patients With Hematologic Malignancies in Social Hospice Residential Home Care Settings. JCO Oncol Pract 2024; 20:779-786. [PMID: 38306585 DOI: 10.1200/op.23.00534] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Hospice is underutilized by patients with hematologic malignancies (HM), and when patients are referred, they are typically more ill, hospitalized, and with shorter length of stay (LOS) than patients with solid tumors (ST), limiting research about home hospice care experiences of patients with HM. In this mixed-methods study, we examined the hospice experiences of patients with HM who died at residential care homes (RCHs), home-based settings in which volunteer caregivers and hospice staff provide end-of-life (EOL) care under the social hospice model. METHODS We queried a registry of 535 hospice patients who died at RCHs between 2005 and 2020 that included quantitative medication administration data as well as qualitative data from hospice intake forms and written volunteer caregiver narratives. Qualitative data were analyzed by collective case study methodology. Quantitative comparisons of LOS and liquid morphine use were performed with matched patients with ST. RESULTS The registry yielded 29 patients with HM, of whom qualitative data were available for 18 patients. Patients with HM exhibited common EOL symptoms (pain, dyspnea, and agitation). Instances of bleeding were low (22%), and notable HM-specific care concerns were described regarding bone fractures, skin integrity, and delirium. Most (78%) experienced good symptom management and peaceful or comfortable deaths. In only one case were symptoms described as severe and poorly managed. Patients with HM had comparable LOS on hospice and at the RCHs to patients with ST, with no group differences in liquid morphine use. CONCLUSION In this registry cohort, most patients with HM achieved good symptom management in home care settings with volunteer caregivers and hospice support. Caregivers may require additional counseling and palliative medications for HM-specific EOL symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol S Weisse
- Department of Psychology, Union College, Schenectady, NY
| | - Kelly Melekis
- College of Education and Social Services, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
| | | | | | - Ajay Major
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
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Liu Q, Qu Z, Dong H, Qi Y, Wu J, Zhang W, Wang X, Wang Z, Fang Y, Wang J. Trends in cancer-related suicide in the United States: a population-based epidemiology study spanning 40 years of data. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:213. [PMID: 38802377 PMCID: PMC11130301 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02917-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Large cohort studies examining trends in cancer-related suicide are lacking. We analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, encompassing a total of 4,870,410 patients diagnosed with cancer from 1975 to 2017 in the United States. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate the annual percent change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) of age-adjusted rates of suicide. In the past 40 years, we revealed a gradual increase in cancer-related suicide rates from 1975 to 1989, followed by a gradual decrease from 1989 to 2013, and a marked decrease from 2013 to 2017. These trends suggested the potential impact of advancements in psychosocial care for patients with cancer in contributing to the observed decrease in suicide rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Liu
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Zheng Qu
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Hao Dong
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yihang Qi
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Wu
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Wenxiang Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Zhongzhao Wang
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Yi Fang
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
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Zhu E, McCreedy E, Teno JM. Bereaved Respondent Perceptions of Quality of Care by Inpatient Palliative Care Utilization in the Last Month of Life. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:893-901. [PMID: 38240917 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08588-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Under traditional Medicare, accountability measures are specific to each healthcare setting. With the growth of alternative payment models such as Medicare Advantage, the focus of accountability measures can be on the longitudinal episode of care. OBJECTIVE Using the last month of life as the episode of care, examine bereaved family member perceptions of the quality of care by site of death and inpatient palliative/hospice care. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study using the National Health Aging Trends Study waves 3-11. SUBJECTS US decedents age 65 and older with family member or close friend survey response. MAIN MEASURES Overall rating of the quality of care, perceptions of symptom management, being treated with respect, emotional/spiritual support, communication, and receipt of care that the decedent did not want. KEY RESULTS Among 2796 interviews (weighted N = 12.6 million), 25.7% died at home with hospice, 10.9% at home without hospice, 10.0% in the ICU, 6.4% at a palliative care unit (PCU), 6.4% at a hospice IPU, 9.1% at hospital without inpatient palliative care, 13.2% at a nursing home without hospice, 9.8% in a nursing home with hospice, 4.1% at a hospice residence, and 4.4% at other locations without hospice. Dying at home with hospice received the highest rating of quality of care (60.2% stated excellent care) while the adjusted marginal differences in sites of death with inpatient palliative care services were rated lower: hospice residence 25.6% points lower (95% CI (-13.7%, -37.5%)) and a freestanding IPU was 16.9% points lower (95% CI (- 4.9%, -29.0%)). CONCLUSION Examining the episode of care as the last month of life, hospice at home is associated with higher rating of the quality of care while inpatient palliative care services in hospital, hospice residence, or hospice IPU settings are rated lower.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enya Zhu
- Center for Gerontology & Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main St, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
- Department of Health Services, Brown University School of Public Health, Policy & Practice121 South Main St, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
- Department of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- Department of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 125 Nashua Street, Rm 421, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Ellen McCreedy
- Center for Gerontology & Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main St, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
- Department of Health Services, Brown University School of Public Health, Policy & Practice121 South Main St, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
- Center for Long-Term Care Quality & Innovation, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main St, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Joan M Teno
- Department of Health Services, Brown University School of Public Health, Policy & Practice121 South Main St, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
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Odejide OO, Aldridge MD. Access to High-Quality Hospice Care in a For-Profit World. Oncologist 2023; 28:743-745. [PMID: 37487057 PMCID: PMC10485296 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyad205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence supporting the relief of suffering and improved end-of-life care provided by hospice is in contrast with recent media reports of cases of poor-quality care driven by profit-motivated hospices. This commentary presents a brief history of hospice and potential solutions to address the current challenges affecting access to high-quality hospice care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oreofe O Odejide
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Melissa D Aldridge
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NYUSA
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13
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Gong X, Pei Y, Zhang M, Wu B. Quality of death among older adults in China: The role of medical expenditure and timely medical treatment. J Aging Soc Policy 2023; 35:667-682. [PMID: 35608353 DOI: 10.1080/08959420.2022.2079907] [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: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Medical expenses in the last year of life consume a large portion of healthcare expenditures, yet little is known about the relationship between medical expenditures in the last year of life and quality of death. Few empirical studies have investigated the association between timely medical treatment before dying and quality of death. This study aimed to examine the associations between medical expenditures in the last year of life, timely medical treatment before dying, and quality of death. Data derived from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), the largest national representative study of the oldest-old in China. Results from multinomial logistic regression suggested that higher medical expenses in the last year of life and lack of timely medical treatment before dying are associated with lower quality of death. These findings highlight an urgent need for strengthening education on death and dying, developing hospice and palliative care services, and improving pain management at the end of life in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuquan Gong
- Professor, Social Science and Public Administration, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaolin Pei
- Research Scientist. Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, NY, USA
| | - Min Zhang
- Master student, Social Science and Public Administration, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Bei Wu
- Dean's Professor in Global Health, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, NY, USA
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14
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Liu J, Li JF, Li XX, Wu YP, Li SR, Li LY, Zhou HP. Awareness of Hospice Care Among Community-Dwelling Elderly Participants. Res Theory Nurs Pract 2023; 37:386-400. [PMID: 37591529 DOI: 10.1891/rtnp-2023-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Background and Purpose: The main goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of life for people who are at the end-of-life phase. However, investigations on the awareness of hospice care among community-dwelling elderly participants are limited. This work aimed to reveal the awareness status of hospice care and explore the factors influencing the awareness rate among elderly participants. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among individuals aged 60 years and above. Results: A total of 4,969 individuals aged 60 years and above were randomly selected from 48 primary medical institutions in Handan. The awareness rate of hospice care in the baseline survey was 19.3% (n = 959). All included individuals were divided into two groups in accordance with their awareness of hospice care. The awareness of hospice care among participants with low educational level, living alone, and afraid of talking about death was low (p < .05). Implications for Practice: The level of awareness of hospice care among community-dwelling elderly participants is low. The influencing factors included educational level, living status, and fear of talking about death. The community-dwelling elderly participants' awareness of hospice care must be improved. It is recommended that public medical education and training should be enhanced to improve knowledge and awareness of hospice care among community-dwelling elderly residents with low educational level, living alone, and afraid of talking about death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- Department of Geriatrics, Handan Central Hospital, Handan, China
| | - Jun-Fang Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Handan Central Hospital, Handan, China
| | - Xiao-Xiao Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Handan Central Hospital, Handan, China
| | - Yi-Ping Wu
- Department of Neurology, Handan Central Hospital, Handan, China
| | - Shu-Rui Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Handan Central Hospital, Handan, China
| | - Li-Yang Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Handan Central Hospital, Handan, China
| | - Hai-Ping Zhou
- Department of Ageing and Health, Medical Association of Handan, Handan, China
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15
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Taylor EP, Vellozzi-Averhoff C, Vettese T. Care Throughout the Journey-The Interaction Between Primary Care and Palliative Care. Clin Geriatr Med 2023; 39:379-393. [PMID: 37385690 DOI: 10.1016/j.cger.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Palliative care is no longer synonymous with end-of-life care, and because supply has been well outstripped by demand, much of the practice of palliative care early in a patient's illness journey will take place in the primary care clinic-referred to as primary palliative care. Referral to specialty palliative care for complex symptom management or clarification on decision-making is appropriate, and can facilitate hospice referral, if indicated and in line with patient/family goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Pinto Taylor
- Division of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Department of Family and Preventative Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Cristina Vellozzi-Averhoff
- Division of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Department of Family and Preventative Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Theresa Vettese
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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16
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Kozhevnikov D, Loho H, Prestia B. Factors Associated With Inpatient Hospice Utilization Among Hospitalized Decedents With Comfort Measures Only Status. J Palliat Med 2023; 26:1048-1055. [PMID: 36716262 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Patients with serious illness may elect to transition their care to comfort measures only (CMO) while in the hospital. Although studies have shown that routine hospice care is underutilized, the rate of general inpatient hospice (GIP) use among CMO patients during their terminal admission remains unclear. Objectives: We sought to (1) examine the rate of GIP utilization and (2) identify factors associated with its use among hospitalized CMO decedents. Methods: CMO decedents in two academic, tertiary care hospitals in the United States who died between October 1, 2020 and October 31, 2021, were subgrouped based on their primary medical service (GIP vs. non-GIP) at the time of inpatient death. Data abstracted from the electronic health record included demographics, primary diagnosis codes, Rothman Index (RI), time of CMO order, ordering clinician type, time of death, and length of stay (LOS). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, adjusting for relevant covariates. Results: Of 1475 CMO decedents, only 321 (n = 22%) patients received GIP. On multivariable analysis, CMO patients who died in an ICU were five times less likely (odds ratio [OR] = 0.18, confidence interval [95% CI] 0.11-0.29) to receive GIP. Every 10-point increase in RI raised the likelihood of receiving GIP by 59% (OR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.39-1.80). Conclusions: Most CMO decedents died in the hospital without GIP. Compared with GIP decedents, non-GIP decedents were less acutely ill. There was no difference in total LOS between the two groups. CMO decedents were much less likely to receive GIP in an ICU. The RI may help clinicians identify CMO patients who would benefit from GIP earlier in their terminal admission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Kozhevnikov
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Palliative Care Program, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Brett Prestia
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Palliative Care Program, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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17
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Mullins MA, Ruterbusch J, Cote ML, Uppal S, Wallner LP. Trends in hospice referral timing and location among individuals dying of ovarian cancer: persistence of missed opportunities. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2023; 33:1099-1105. [PMID: 37208020 PMCID: PMC10577799 DOI: 10.1136/ijgc-2023-004405] [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: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate trends, racial disparities, and opportunities to improve the timing and location of hospice referral for women dying of ovarian cancer. METHODS This retrospective claims analysis included 4258 Medicare beneficiaries over age 66 diagnosed with ovarian cancer who survived at least 6 months after diagnosis, died between 2007 and 2016, and enrolled in a hospice. We examined trends in timing and clinical location (outpatient, inpatient hospital, nursing/long-term care, other) of hospice referrals and associations with patient race and ethnicity using multivariable multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS In this sample, 56% of hospice enrollees were referred to a hospice within a month of death, and referral timing did not vary by patient race. Referrals were most commonly inpatient hospital (1731 (41%) inpatient, 703 (17%) outpatient, 299 (7%) nursing/long-term care, 1525 (36%) other), with a median of 6 inpatient days prior to hospice enrollment. Only 17% of hospice referrals were made in an outpatient clinic, but participants had a median of 1.7 outpatient visits per month in the 6 months prior to hospice referral. Referral location varied by patient race, with non-Hispanic black people experiencing the most inpatient referrals (60%). Hospice referral timing and location trends did not change between 2007 and 2016. Compared with individuals referred to a hospice in an outpatient setting, individuals referred from an inpatient hospital setting had more than six times the odds of a referral in the last 3 days of life (OR=6.5, 95% CI 4.4 to 9.8) versus a referral more than 90 days before death. CONCLUSION Timeliness of hospice referral is not improving over time despite opportunities for earlier referral across multiple clinical settings. Future work delineating how to capitalize on these opportunities is essential for improving the timeliness of hospice care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Mullins
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Julie Ruterbusch
- Karmanos Cancer Insitute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Michele L Cote
- Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Shitanshu Uppal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lauren P Wallner
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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18
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Aniśko-Trembecka P, Popławska M, Krajewska-Kułak E, Mickiewicz I, Kułak W. The Functioning of Hospice in the Perception of Family Members of Cancer Surgery and Hospice Patients. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5334. [PMID: 37047949 PMCID: PMC10093967 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative care in Poland is for all dying people and their families to have timely access to quality care services. The study aimed to assess the perception of the role of hospice care by families of patients treated in oncological surgery departments and hospices. METHODS The study included 211 family members of cancer patients, comprising 108 family members of cancer surgery patients (Group I) and 103 hospice patients (Group II). The study used a diagnostic survey method with a proprietary questionnaire. RESULTS 74.9% of people in Group I and 84.6% in Group II experienced positive associations with hospice care. 86% of respondents from Group I believed that hospice is a place where patients can die with dignity, while 68.3% of those from Group II believed it is where patients receive professional care. 56.7% from Group I and 65.4% from Group II did not feel anxious about hospice care. According to 68.6% of people in Group I, informing the patient that he or she is in hospice as well as about his or her disease should depend on the patient's condition. In the opinion of 75% of Group II, the patient should always be informed. In Group I (68.3%) and Group II (91.5%), the dominant opinion was that the family should take part in the care and treatment of the patient. 78.4% of respondents in Group I and 96.4% in Group II recommend hospice to other families. CONCLUSIONS Most families of cancer patients from both the oncological surgery departments (Group I) and hospice (Group II) had positive first associations with hospice care. However, families from Group II had more critical remarks on hospice functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magda Popławska
- Student Research Group, Department of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Białystok, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Krajewska-Kułak
- Department of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Irena Mickiewicz
- Independent Public Palliative Care Team for Them, John Paul II in Suwałki, 16-402 Suwałki, Poland
| | - Wojciech Kułak
- Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Center of Early Support for Handicapped Children “Give a Chance”, Medical University of Białystok, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
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Panattoni LE, McDermott CL, Li L, Sun Q, Fedorenko CR, Sanchez HA, Kreizenbeck KL, Shankaran V, Ramsey SD. Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Place of Death Among Medicaid and Commercially Insured Patients With Cancer in Washington State. J Clin Oncol 2023; 41:1610-1617. [PMID: 36417688 PMCID: PMC10489265 DOI: 10.1200/jco.22.00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions in health care delivery might have affected end-of-life care in patients with cancer. We examined changes in place of death and hospice support for Medicaid and commercially insured patients during the pandemic. PATIENTS AND METHODS We linked Washington State cancer registry records with claims from Medicaid and two commercial insurers for patients with solid tumor age 18-64 years. The study included 322 Medicaid and 162 commercial patients who died between March 2017 and June 2019 (pre-COVID-19), along with 90 Medicaid and 47 commercial patients who died between March and June 2020 (COVID-19). Place of death was categorized as hospital, hospice (home or nonhospital facility), and home without hospice. Place of death was compared using adjusted multinomial logistic regressions stratified by payer and time period (pre-COVID-19 v COVID-19). The clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with dying at home without hospice were examined, and adjusted marginal effects (ME) are reported. RESULTS In the adjusted pre-COVID-19 analysis, Medicaid patients were more likely than commercially insured patients to die in hospital (48% v 36%; adjusted ME, 11%; P = .02). In the pre-COVID-19/COVID-19 analysis, Medicaid patients' place of death shifted from hospital (48% v 32%; ME, -16%; P < .01) to home without hospice (19.9% v 38.0%; ME, 16.5%; P < .01). However, there were no statistically significant changes pre-COVID-19/COVID-19 for commercial patients. As a result, during COVID-19, Medicaid patients were more likely than commercial patients to die at home without hospice (38% v 22%; ME, 16%; P = .04) as were male versus female patients (ME, 16%; P < .01). CONCLUSION The pandemic might have disproportionately worsened the end-of-life experience for Medicaid enrollees with cancer. Attention should be paid to societal and health system factors that decrease access to care for Medicaid patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Panattoni
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
- PRECISIONheor, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Cara L. McDermott
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Li Li
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Qin Sun
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Catherine R. Fedorenko
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Hayley A. Sanchez
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Karma L. Kreizenbeck
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Veena Shankaran
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Scott D. Ramsey
- Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
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20
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Gianattasio KZ, Power MC, Lupu D, Prather C, Moghtaderi A. Medicare Hospice Policy Changes and Beneficiaries' Rate of Live Discharge and Length-of-Stay. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 65:162-172. [PMID: 36526252 PMCID: PMC9928899 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The 2014 Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation (IMPACT) Act systemized audits of long hospice stays, and the 2016 two-tier payment system decreased daily reimbursement rates after 60 days of enrollment. Both aimed to reduce long stays. OBJECTIVES Examine how live discharge rates and length of stay changed in relation to the policies. METHODS We computed monthly hospice-level percent live discharges and length of stay using 2008-2019 Medicare hospice claims. We compared prepolicies trends and postpolicies trends overall, within Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) patients, within lung cancer patients, and stratified by hospice ownership (for-profit vs. nonprofit/government-owned). RESULTS We included 10,539,912 and 10,453,025 episodes of care in the analytical samples for live discharge and length of stay analyses, respectively. Overall percent live discharges declined during the prepolicies period (-0.13 percentage-points per month, 95% CI: -0.14, -0.12), but exhibited no significant change during the postpolicies period. Trends were driven primarily by for-profits, with similar patterns within ADRD and lung cancer patients. Overall, mean length of stay increased over time, with greater rate of increase during the postpolicies period (0.41 days per month, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.42) compared to the prepolicies period (0.12 days per month, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.14). Length-of-stay increased faster among ADRD patients, but changed minimally for lung cancer patients. CONCLUSION Live discharge rates declined significantly during the prepolicies period, but plateaued after implementation of the policies, driven by changes in for-profits. However, the policies did not reduce length of stay, which increased at faster rates, suggesting that postpolicies excess live discharges were not restricted to long-stay patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kan Z Gianattasio
- Department of Health Policy and Management (K.Z.G., A.M.), George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, DC; Department of Health Care Evaluation (K.Z.G.), NORC at the University of Chicago, Bethesda, Maryland.
| | - Melinda C Power
- Department of Epidemiology (M.C.P.), George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, DC
| | - Dale Lupu
- George Washington University School of Nursing (D.L.), Washington, DC
| | - Christina Prather
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine (C.P.), George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
| | - Ali Moghtaderi
- Department of Health Policy and Management (K.Z.G., A.M.), George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, DC
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21
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What are the outcomes of hospice care for cancer patients? A systematic review. Support Care Cancer 2023; 31:64. [DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07524-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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22
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Beiranvand S, Rassouli M, Hazrati M, Molavynejad S, Hojjat S, Tuvesson H, Zarea K. Hospice care delivery system requirements. Int J Palliat Nurs 2022; 28:562-574. [PMID: 36520099 DOI: 10.12968/ijpn.2022.28.12.562] [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: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospice care is a perceived need in the Iranian health system. AIM This qualitative study is explaining the stakeholders' perception of what is required to develop a hospice care system for patients living with cancer in Iran. METHODS A total of 21 participants (specialists, policymakers, healthcare providers, cancer patients and family caregivers) were selected through purposeful sampling and interviewed in-depth in 2020. Interviews were analysed through directed content analysis. FINDINGS A total of 1054 codes, 7 categories and 21 subcategories were extracted. The requirements include the need to provide: multiple settings and diverse services; participatory decision making; integration into the health system; specialised human resources; an organised system of accountability; the preparation of the existing health system; and wider capacity-building in existing Iranian society. CONCLUSION It is essential that Iranian services create a participatory comprehensive care plan, utilise expert manpower, integrate hospice care into the existing health system and organise a system of accountability. Policymakers should focus on the preparation of the health system and capacity building in society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Beiranvand
- Assistant Professor, Nursing Care Research Center in Chronic Diseases, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Maryam Rassouli
- Professor, Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Hazrati
- Assistant Professor, Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Shahram Molavynejad
- Assistant Professor, Nursing Care Research Center in Chronic Diseases, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Suzanne Hojjat
- Doctor of Medicine, Department of Home-based Palliative Care, ALA Cancer Prevention and Control Center (MACSA), Tehran, Iran; President of French Institute of International Research and High Education, France
| | - Hanna Tuvesson
- Associate Professor, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Sweden
| | - Kourosh Zarea
- Associate Professor, Nursing Care Research Center in Chronic Diseases, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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23
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Wachterman MW, Corneau EE, O’Hare AM, Keating NL, Mor V. Association of Hospice Payer With Concurrent Receipt of Hospice and Dialysis Among US Veterans With End-stage Kidney Disease: A Retrospective Analysis of a National Cohort. JAMA HEALTH FORUM 2022; 3:e223708. [PMID: 36269338 PMCID: PMC9587478 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2022.3708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Importance For many patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), the Medicare Hospice Benefit precludes concurrent receipt of hospice and dialysis services, forcing patients to choose between continuing dialysis or enrolling in hospice. Whether the more liberal hospice eligibility criteria of the Veterans Health Administration's (VA) are associated with improved access to concurrent dialysis and hospice care for patients with ESKD is not known. Objective To examine the frequency of concurrent hospice and dialysis care among US veterans by hospice payer and examine the payer for concurrent dialysis. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of all 70 577 VA enrollees in the US Renal Data System registry who initiated maintenance dialysis and died in 2007 to 2016. Data were analyzed from April 2021 to August 2022. Exposures Hospice payer, either Medicare, VA inpatient hospice, or VA-financed community-based hospice ("VA community care"). Primary hospice diagnosis-ESKD vs non-ESKD. Main Outcomes and Measures Concurrent receipt of hospice and dialysis services ("concurrent care"). Results There were 18 420 (26%) eligible veterans with ESKD who received hospice services (mean [SD] age, 75.4 [10.0] years; 17 457 [94.8%] men; 2997 [16.3%] Black, 15 162 [82.3%] White, and 261 (1.4%) individuals of other races). Most of the sample (n = 16 465; 89%) received hospice services under Medicare and 5231 (28%) continued to receive dialysis after hospice initiation. The adjusted proportion of veterans receiving concurrent care was higher for those enrolled in VA inpatient hospice or VA community care hospice than it was for those enrolled in Medicare hospice (57% and 41% vs 24%, respectively; both P < .001). Regardless of hospice payer, the majority (87%) of the dialysis treatments after hospice initiation were financed by the VA, including for Medicare beneficiaries who had a hospice diagnosis other than ESKD. Median hospice length of stay was 43 days for veterans who received concurrent dialysis vs 4 days for those who did not. Conclusions and Relevance In this retrospective cross-sectional study of US veterans with ESKD, a substantially higher proportion of veterans in VA-financed hospice received 1 or more dialysis treatments after hospice initiation than those enrolled in Medicare-financed hospice. Regardless of hospice payer, the VA financed most concurrent dialysis treatments. Hospice users who received concurrent dialysis care had substantially longer hospice lengths of stay than those who did not. These findings suggest that Medicare hospice policy may substantially restrict access to concurrent hospice and dialysis care among veterans with ESKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa W. Wachterman
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Veterans Affairs Boston Health Care System, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Emily E. Corneau
- Long Term Services and Supports Center of Innovation, Veterans Affairs Providence Health Care System, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Ann M. O’Hare
- Department of Medicine and Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle
- Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
| | - Nancy L. Keating
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Vincent Mor
- Long Term Services and Supports Center of Innovation, Veterans Affairs Providence Health Care System, Providence, Rhode Island
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island
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Lin H, Ko E, Wu B, Ni P. Hospice Care Preferences and Its Associated Factors among Community-Dwelling Residents in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159197. [PMID: 35954548 PMCID: PMC9368034 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Hospice care is a comprehensive approach addressing patients’ physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs at the end of life (EoL). Despite the recognition of its effectiveness in improving the quality of EoL care, little is known about hospice care in mainland China. In this study, we aimed to examine the preferences for hospice care and its related factors among community-dwelling residents in mainland China. Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling method, and 992 community-dwelling residents responded to an online survey from June 2018 to August 2019. The majority (66.7%) of the participants were female, and the mean age was 48.4 years. Approximately 28% of the participants had heard of hospice care, and 91.2% preferred to receive hospice care if diagnosed with a terminal illness. Participants who had heard of hospice care, and with higher levels of education (bachelor’s degree or above) and health insurance coverage were more likely to accept hospice care than their counterparts. Community-based education on hospice care is imperative to improve public knowledge and the acceptance of hospice care. Meanwhile, there is a need to develop policies to integrate and expand hospice care into clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijing Lin
- School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China;
| | - Eunjeong Ko
- School of Social Work, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA;
| | - Bei Wu
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY 10010, USA;
- NYU Aging Incubator, New York University, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Ping Ni
- School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-1387-1540-316
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Parast L, Haas A, Teno J, Elliott M, Griffin BA, Price RA. Hospice Care Experiences Among Decedents With Huntington's Disease. J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 64:70-79. [PMID: 35263620 PMCID: PMC10859183 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.02.342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Little is known about the hospice care experiences of those with Huntington's Disease (HD). OBJECTIVES Our objective is to provide the first national characterization of hospice care quality for patients with HD and their families. METHODS We used national Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Hospice Survey data to examine caregiver-reported experiences of hospice care. We analyzed data from 550 caregivers of patients with HD and 1,098,819 caregivers of patients without HD who died January 2016-June 2019 while receiving hospice care from 3,845 hospices nationwide. Outcomes (on a 0-100 scale) were eight publicly-reported quality of care measures, and four individual survey items about receiving help for specific symptoms. Analyses were propensity-score weighted and adjusted for patient and caregiver characteristics. RESULTS Experiences of care among patients with HD were similar to or better than for patients without HD. Across all hospice and care settings, the only significant difference was for Providing Emotional, and Spiritual Support (90.9 [HD] vs. 88.2 [non-HD], a medium effect size, P < 0.01). However, patients with HD more often received care in settings with worse experiences for all patients; within the same hospice and same setting of care, measure scores were significantly higher for patients with HD compared to those without HD (2.3-4.6 points higher on a 0-100 scale) for all measures except Getting Hospice Care Training. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the benefits of hospice care for those with HD and their families and may be useful for patients with HD when making decisions regarding options for end-of-life care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla Parast
- Department of Statistics and Data Sciences, (L.P.) University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA; RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, (M.E.) California, USA.
| | - Ann Haas
- RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, (A.H.) Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joan Teno
- Oregon Health and Science University, (J.T.) Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Marc Elliott
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, (M.E.) California, USA
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Dhingra L, Braveman C, Kassner C, Schechter C, DiFiglia S, Portenoy R. Low Hospice Utilization in New York State: Comparisons Using National Data. J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 63:522-529. [PMID: 34954063 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Hospice utilization in New York State (NYS) is low compared to the rest of the U.S. OBJECTIVES The first part of a mixed-methods study elicited information from New York State stakeholders and identified 54 hospice-related barriers in nine categories, some specific to NYS. This second part used national data to examine the differences between NYS and the rest of the country by evaluating the variables associated with low NYS hospice utilization. METHODS Ten Medicare or publicly available datasets provided data from the year prior to death for all traditional Medicare-insured patients dying in 2018. Multivariate analyses identified variables independently associated with differences in hospice enrollment or length of stay between NYS and the rest of the country. RESULTS The NYS population was relatively older, included more women and minorities, had higher socioeconomic status (SES), and saw more physicians during the last two years of life. NYS had more physicians, more skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds, and fewer for-profit hospitals, SNFs, home care agencies, and hospice agencies. In multivariate analyses, lower NYS hospice utilization was associated with higher SES; more physicians seen during the last two years of life; more SNF beds and fewer for-profit SNF facilities; and fewer hospice agencies. CONCLUSION NYS's low hospice utilization is independently associated with diverse factors, including those related to the health care system. Combined with information from stakeholders, these findings may help target, and inform initiatives to improve hospice utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Dhingra
- MJHS Institute for Innovation in Palliative Care (L.D., S.D., R.P.), New York, New York, USA; Department of Family and Social Medicine (L.D., C.S., R.P.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
| | - Carla Braveman
- Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State (HPCANYS) (C.B.), Albany, New York, USA
| | - Cordt Kassner
- Hospice Analytics Inc. (C.K.), Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
| | - Clyde Schechter
- Department of Family and Social Medicine (L.D., C.S., R.P.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Stephanie DiFiglia
- MJHS Institute for Innovation in Palliative Care (L.D., S.D., R.P.), New York, New York, USA
| | - Russell Portenoy
- MJHS Institute for Innovation in Palliative Care (L.D., S.D., R.P.), New York, New York, USA; Department of Family and Social Medicine (L.D., C.S., R.P.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Department of Neurology (R.P.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Beiranvand S, Rassouli M, Hazrati M, Molavynejad S, Hojjat S, Zarea K. Developing a Model for the Establishment of the Hospice Care Delivery System for Iranian Adult Patients With Cancer. Front Psychol 2022; 13:807621. [PMID: 35418901 PMCID: PMC8997285 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.807621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Making appropriate plans for the provision of hospice care is considered a perceived need in the Iranian health system. The current study aimed to develop a model for establishing hospice care delivery system for the adult patients with cancer. Materials and Methods This study is part (data of the third and fourth phases) of a larger study that has been done in four phases. This Health System Policy Research (HSPR) utilized a mixed qualitative-quantitative approach. At the first phase, a qualitative study was conducted which explained the care needs and the requirements for establishing this system from the stakeholders' perspective (directed content analysis). The second phase aimed to examine the current situation of hospice care delivery in Iran and identify and determine the similarities and differences among them in the selected countries (comparative study). At the third phase, the main areas of the model and the related indicators were extracted and prioritized by consulting with experts (Delphi survey). Then the model was formulated. At the fourth phase, the proposed model was validated and finalized in terms of importance, scientific acceptability, and feasibility. Results Based on the developed model the first and the most important step in establishing the hospice care delivery system is laying the groundwork in the health system which requires focusing on policymaking. It is necessary to establish hospice centers and implement public awareness raising programs, train, and supply expert manpower, strengthen family physician and referral process, formulate clinical guidelines, encourage the private sector and NGOs(Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).) to invest, develop end-of-life and hospice care service packages, and create quality care indicators. The proposed model had moderate feasibility. Conclusion This model was developed based on the current Iranian healthcare structure and the needs of terminally ill cancer patients. It can be used as a model tailored to the current state of the health system and community in Iran. It is suggested to use this model as a pilot at the regional level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Beiranvand
- Nursing Care Research Center in Chronic Diseases, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Maryam Rassouli
- Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Hazrati
- Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Shahram Molavynejad
- Nursing Care Research Center in Chronic Diseases, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Suzanne Hojjat
- Department of Home-Based Palliative Care, ALA Cancer Prevention and Control Center (MACSA), Tehran, Iran
- French Institute of International Research and High Education, Paris, France
| | - Kourosh Zarea
- Nursing Care Research Center in Chronic Diseases, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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Sanders JJ, Manson L, Constien D, Downar J. Discussing prognosis and what matters most for people with serious illness. BMJ 2022; 376:e067572. [PMID: 35228302 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2021-067572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Justin J Sanders
- Palliative Care McGill, Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Ariadne Labs, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leigh Manson
- Health Quality and Safety Commission, New Zealand
| | | | - James Downar
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
- Bruyere Continuing Care, Ottawa, Canada
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Crooms RC, Johnson MO, Leeper H, Mehta A, McWhirter M, Sharma A. Easing the Journey-an Updated Review of Palliative Care for the Patient with High-Grade Glioma. Curr Oncol Rep 2022; 24:501-515. [PMID: 35192120 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-022-01210-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW High-grade gliomas (HGG) are rare brain tumors that cause disproportionate suffering and mortality. Palliative care, whose aim is to relieve the symptoms and stressors of serious illness, may benefit patients with HGG and their families. In this review, we summarize the extant literature and provide recommendations for addressing the symptom management and communication needs of brain tumor patients and their caregivers at key points in the illness trajectory: initial diagnosis; during upfront treatment; disease recurrence; end-of-life period; and after death during bereavement. RECENT FINDINGS Patients with HGG experience highly intrusive symptoms, cognitive and functional decline, and emotional and existential distress throughout the disease course. The caregiver burden is also substantial during the patient's illness and after death. There is limited evidence to guide the palliative management of these issues. Palliative care is likely to benefit patients with HGG, yet further research is needed to optimize the delivery of palliative care in neuro-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita C Crooms
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Ave, 1052, NY, 10029, New York, USA.,Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Margaret O Johnson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Trent Drive 047 Baker House, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.,The Preston Robert Tirsch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Trent Drive 047 Baker House, NC, 27710, Durham, USA
| | - Heather Leeper
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, 9030 Old Georgetown Rd, Bloch Bldg 82, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Ambereen Mehta
- Palliative Care Program, Division of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, 21224, MD, USA.,Division of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, 21224, MD, USA
| | - Michelle McWhirter
- Palliative Care Program, Division of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, 21224, MD, USA.,Department of Social Work, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, 21224, MD, USA
| | - Akanksha Sharma
- Department of Translational Neurosciences, Pacific Neuroscience Institute/Saint John's Cancer Institute, 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA.
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Liu Q, Wang X, Kong X, Wang Z, Zhu M, Ren Y, Dong H, Fang Y, Wang J. Subsequent risk of suicide among 9,300,812 cancer survivors in US: A population-based cohort study covering 40 years of data. EClinicalMedicine 2022; 44:101295. [PMID: 35198920 PMCID: PMC8850339 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large cohort studies that estimate the variation in suicide risk among cancer patients, depending on disease type and patient characteristics, are lacking. We aimed to investigate suicide risk among patients with different cancers types in the United States (US) and to identify subsets of patients at particularly high risk. METHODS A total of 9,300,812 cases of cancer in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database that were diagnosed between 1975 and 2016 were included in the study. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and absolute excess risk (AER) of suicide were estimated. FINDINGS From the included cases, 14,423 cancer patients were identified as having died by suicide, representing 0.26% of all deaths. We found that cancer patients had a higher risk of suicide compared with the general population, which equated to 0.8 excess deaths per 10,000 person-years. Greater suicide risk was correlated with the following: specific cancer sites, male sex, American Indian/Alaskan Native ancestry, being divorced, being uninsured, distance of metastasis, aged between 60 and 69 at diagnosis, and having a more recent diagnosis. The greatest SMR and AER were found in patients with cancers of the respiratory system, followed by those of the oral cavity and pharynx, myeloma, bones and joints, digestive system, and brain and other nervous system cancers. INTERPRETATION Suicide risk among cancer patients varies greatly and depends on both disease type and patient characteristics. A tailored clinical management should be considered for patients at a higher risk of suicide. FUNDING Natural Science Foundation of China.
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Osakwe ZT, Oni-Eseleh O, Bianco G, Saint Fleur-Calixte R. Symptom Burden and Activity of Daily Living (ADL) Dependency Among Home Health care Patients Discharged to Home Hospice. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2022; 39:966-976. [PMID: 35037476 DOI: 10.1177/10499091211063808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: We sought to examine sociodemographic and clinical characteristics present on admission to HHC associated with discharge to hospice. Methods: We used a 5% random sample of 2017 national Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) data. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was estimated for the primary outcome (discharge to hospice) to examine the associations with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of HHC patients. Results: Among 489, 230 HHC patients, 4268 were discharged to hospice. The median (interquartile range) length of HHC stay for patients discharged to hospice care was 33 (14-78) days. Compared to White patients, Black, Hispanic, and other race, (hazard ratio [HR] = .50 [95% confidence interval, CI = .44-.57]), (HR = .53 [95% CI = .46-.62]), and (HR = .49 [95% CI = .40-.61], respectively) was associated with shorter time to discharge to hospice care. Clinical characteristics including severe dependence in activities of daily (ADL) (HR = 1.68 [95% CI = 1.01-2.78]), cognitive impairment (HR = 1.10 [95% CI = 1.01-1.20]), disruptive behavior daily (HR = 1.11 [95% CI = 1.02-1.22]), and inability to feed oneself (HR = 4.78, 95% CI = 4.30, 5.31) was associated with shorter time to discharge to hospice. Symptoms of anxiety daily (HR = 1.55 [95% CI = 1.43-1.68]), and pain daily or all the time (HR = 1.54 [95% CI = 1.43-1.64]) were associated with shorter time to discharge to hospice. Conclusions: High symptom burden, ADL dependency, and cognitive impairment on admission to HHC services was associated with greater likelihood of discharge to hospice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainab Toteh Osakwe
- College of Nursing and Public Health, 15670Adelphi University, Garden City, NY, USA
| | - Ohiro Oni-Eseleh
- School of Social Work, 382510Adelphi University - Hudson Valley Center, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA
| | - Gabriella Bianco
- College of Nursing and Public Health, 15670Adelphi University, Garden City, NY, USA
| | - Rose Saint Fleur-Calixte
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health State University of New York, Downstate Health Sciences University, NY, USA
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Artico M, Piredda M, D'Angelo D, Di Nitto M, Giannarelli D, Marchetti A, Facchinetti G, De Chirico C, De Marinis MG. Palliative care organization and staffing models in residential hospices: Which makes the difference? Int J Nurs Stud 2021; 126:104135. [PMID: 34923319 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.104135] [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: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of patients using palliative care services, particularly residential hospices, is increasing. Policymakers are urging these services to reflect on the most effective organizational strategies for meeting patients' complex care needs. AIM To analyze the predictive power of staffing, structure and process indicators towards optimal control of patients' clinically significant symptoms over time. DESIGN Secondary analysis of data from a multicentre prospective longitudinal observational study (PRELUdiHO) collected between November 2017 and September 2018. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Adult patients (n = 992) enrolled in 13 Italian residential hospices. METHODS Two generalized estimating equations logistic models were built, both with number of hospice beds and length of stay as independent variables as well as, in one case, patient-to-healthcare worker ratios, and, in the other, health professionals' qualification levels. Dependent variables were six not clinically significant (score<4) symptoms: pain, nausea, shortness of breath, feeling sad, feeling nervous, and 'how you feel overall', according to the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System revised (ESAS-r) scale. RESULTS The generalized estimating equations indicators on staff revealed the following 'optimal' model: Patient-to-Physician ratio (5.5:1-6.5:1); Patient-to-Nurse ratio (1.5:1-2.7:1); Patient-to-Nurse-Assistant ratio (4.1:1-6.3:1); with the most balanced staff composition including 19% physicians, 23% nurse assistants, and 58% registered nurses; hospice beds (12-25); length of stay (median = 12 days). This model predicted an up to four times greater likelihood of controlling all six ESAS-r symptoms over time. The generalized estimating equations model on the educational level of physicians and registered nurses showed that it was significantly associated with optimal patients' symptom control during the entire hospice stay. CONCLUSIONS This study showed the exact skill-mix composition and proportions of palliative care team able to ensure optimal control of patients' symptoms. The added value of physicians and nurses with a qualification in palliative care in terms of better patient outcomes reaffirmed the importance of education in guaranteeing quality care. Hospices with 12-25 beds, and recruitment methods guaranteeing at least 12-day stay ensured the most propitious organizational environment for optimal management of clinically significant symptoms. The transferability of these results mainly depends on whether the skills of health professionals in our `ideal' model are present in other contexts. Our results provide policymakers and hospice managers with specific, evidence-based information to support decision-making processes regarding hospice staffing and organization. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the positive impact of this 'optimal' organizational framework on patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Artico
- Palliative Care Unit, Azienda ULSS4 Veneto Orientale, Piazza De Gasperi, 5, San Donà di Piave, Venezia 30027, Italy
| | - Michela Piredda
- Research Unit Nursing Science, Campus Bio-Medico di Roma University, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, Rome 00128, Italy.
| | - Daniela D'Angelo
- Center for Clinical Excellence and Quality of Care (CNEC), Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Via Regina Elena, 299, Rome 00161, Italy.
| | - Marco Di Nitto
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, Rome 00133, Italy.
| | - Diana Giannarelli
- Biostatistical Unit, National Cancer Institute "Regina Elena" - IRCCS, Via Chianesi, 53, Rome 00144, Italy.
| | - Anna Marchetti
- Palliative Care Center "Insieme per la cura", Via Alvaro del Portillo, 15, Rome 00128, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Facchinetti
- Palliative Care Center "Insieme per la cura", Via Alvaro del Portillo, 15, Rome 00128, Italy
| | - Cosimo De Chirico
- Palliative Care Unit, Azienda ULSS4 Veneto Orientale, Piazza De Gasperi, 5, San Donà di Piave, Venezia 30027, Italy.
| | - Maria Grazia De Marinis
- Research Unit Nursing Science, Campus Bio-Medico di Roma University, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, Rome 00128, Italy.
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Martin JL, Azizoddin DR, Rynar LZ, Weber J, Oliver T, Weldon CB, Hauser JM. Comprehensive and Equitable Care for Vulnerable Veterans With Integrated Palliative, Psychology, and Oncology Care. Fed Pract 2021; 38:S28-S35. [PMID: 34733093 DOI: 10.12788/fp.0158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Objective Veterans who live with cancer need comprehensive care. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer guidelines recommend evaluating distress and providing appropriate follow-up to all patients with cancer. Methods We created patient-centered, collaborative clinics to screen for and address cancer-related distress. Medical oncologists received education about available supportive services and instructions on how to make referrals. Participants completed the Coleman Supportive Oncology Collaborative screening questions. Results Patients in this outpatient US Department of Veterans Affairs medical oncology clinic were primarily older, African American men. Most veterans screened positive for ≥ 1 type of cancer-related distress. Patients screened for high levels of distress received in-person clinical follow-up for further evaluation and to make immediate referrals to supportive care services. Conclusions We evaluated patients' needs, made referrals as needed, and helped bring care directly into the oncology clinic. Using a screening tool for cancer-related distress and managing distress with integrated psychosocial providers could improve care coordination and enhance patient-centered supportive oncology care, especially for high-risk patients. A full-time social worker was integrated into the medical oncology clinics based on our program's success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna L Martin
- and are Palliative Care Physicians; is a Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner; and is a Palliative Care and Hematology Oncology Clinical Social Worker; all at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. is Adjunct Faculty in Hematology and Oncology; Joanna Martin is a Health System Clinician; and Joshua Hauser is a Palliative Care Physician; all at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine in Illinois. Christine Weldon is Director at the Center for Business Models in Healthcare in Illinois. is a Research Scientist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Affiliate Research Faculty, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard Medical School, in Massachusetts. is an Assistant Professor, Supportive Oncology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago
| | - Desiree R Azizoddin
- and are Palliative Care Physicians; is a Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner; and is a Palliative Care and Hematology Oncology Clinical Social Worker; all at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. is Adjunct Faculty in Hematology and Oncology; Joanna Martin is a Health System Clinician; and Joshua Hauser is a Palliative Care Physician; all at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine in Illinois. Christine Weldon is Director at the Center for Business Models in Healthcare in Illinois. is a Research Scientist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Affiliate Research Faculty, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard Medical School, in Massachusetts. is an Assistant Professor, Supportive Oncology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago
| | - Lauren Z Rynar
- and are Palliative Care Physicians; is a Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner; and is a Palliative Care and Hematology Oncology Clinical Social Worker; all at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. is Adjunct Faculty in Hematology and Oncology; Joanna Martin is a Health System Clinician; and Joshua Hauser is a Palliative Care Physician; all at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine in Illinois. Christine Weldon is Director at the Center for Business Models in Healthcare in Illinois. is a Research Scientist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Affiliate Research Faculty, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard Medical School, in Massachusetts. is an Assistant Professor, Supportive Oncology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago
| | - Jane Weber
- and are Palliative Care Physicians; is a Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner; and is a Palliative Care and Hematology Oncology Clinical Social Worker; all at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. is Adjunct Faculty in Hematology and Oncology; Joanna Martin is a Health System Clinician; and Joshua Hauser is a Palliative Care Physician; all at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine in Illinois. Christine Weldon is Director at the Center for Business Models in Healthcare in Illinois. is a Research Scientist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Affiliate Research Faculty, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard Medical School, in Massachusetts. is an Assistant Professor, Supportive Oncology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago
| | - Tyra Oliver
- and are Palliative Care Physicians; is a Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner; and is a Palliative Care and Hematology Oncology Clinical Social Worker; all at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. is Adjunct Faculty in Hematology and Oncology; Joanna Martin is a Health System Clinician; and Joshua Hauser is a Palliative Care Physician; all at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine in Illinois. Christine Weldon is Director at the Center for Business Models in Healthcare in Illinois. is a Research Scientist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Affiliate Research Faculty, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard Medical School, in Massachusetts. is an Assistant Professor, Supportive Oncology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago
| | - Christine B Weldon
- and are Palliative Care Physicians; is a Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner; and is a Palliative Care and Hematology Oncology Clinical Social Worker; all at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. is Adjunct Faculty in Hematology and Oncology; Joanna Martin is a Health System Clinician; and Joshua Hauser is a Palliative Care Physician; all at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine in Illinois. Christine Weldon is Director at the Center for Business Models in Healthcare in Illinois. is a Research Scientist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Affiliate Research Faculty, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard Medical School, in Massachusetts. is an Assistant Professor, Supportive Oncology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago
| | - Joshua M Hauser
- and are Palliative Care Physicians; is a Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner; and is a Palliative Care and Hematology Oncology Clinical Social Worker; all at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. is Adjunct Faculty in Hematology and Oncology; Joanna Martin is a Health System Clinician; and Joshua Hauser is a Palliative Care Physician; all at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine in Illinois. Christine Weldon is Director at the Center for Business Models in Healthcare in Illinois. is a Research Scientist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Affiliate Research Faculty, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard Medical School, in Massachusetts. is an Assistant Professor, Supportive Oncology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago
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Han X, Hu X, Zhao J, Ma J, Jemal A, Yabroff KR. Trends of Cancer-Related Suicide in the United States: 1999-2018. J Natl Cancer Inst 2021; 113:1258-1262. [PMID: 33464295 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djaa183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The suicide rate has steadily increased in the United States during the past 2 decades. Cancer patients have elevated suicide risk because of prevalent psychological distress, treatment side effects, and potentially uncontrolled pain. Efforts to promote psychosocial and palliative care may reduce this risk. Using the 1999-2018 Multiple Cause of Death database, we found a decreasing trend of cancer-related suicide during the past 2 decades with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of age-adjusted suicide rates of -2.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = -3.5% to -2.1%) in contrast to an increasing trend of overall suicide rate (AAPC = 1.7%, 95% CI = 1.5% to 1.8%). We also observed the largest declines in cancer-related suicide rates among high-risk populations including male, older age, and certain cancer types, suggesting an evolving role of psycho-oncology and palliative and hospice care during this period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuesong Han
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, Intramural Research Department, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xin Hu
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jingxuan Zhao
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, Intramural Research Department, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jiemin Ma
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, Intramural Research Department, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ahmedin Jemal
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, Intramural Research Department, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - K Robin Yabroff
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, Intramural Research Department, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Deeb S, Chino FL, Diamond LC, Tao A, Aragones A, Shahrokni A, Yerramilli D, Gillespie EF, Tsai CJ. Disparities in Care Management During Terminal Hospitalization Among Adults With Metastatic Cancer From 2010 to 2017. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2125328. [PMID: 34550384 PMCID: PMC8459194 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.25328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Many patients with metastatic cancer receive high-cost, low-value care near the end of life. Identifying patients with a high likelihood of receiving low-value care is an important step to improve appropriate end-of-life care. OBJECTIVE To analyze patterns of care and interventions during terminal hospitalizations and examine whether care management is associated with sociodemographic status among adult patients with metastatic cancer at the end of life. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, population-based cross-sectional study used data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project to analyze all-payer, encounter-level information from multiple inpatient centers in the US. All utilization and hospital charge records from national inpatient sample data sets between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2017 (n = 58 761 097), were screened. The final cohort included 21 335 patients 18 years and older at inpatient admission who had a principal diagnosis of metastatic cancer and died during hospitalization. Data for the current study were analyzed from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2017. EXPOSURES Patient demographic characteristics, patient insurance status, hospital location, and hospital teaching status. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Receipt of systemic therapy (including chemotherapy and immunotherapy), receipt of invasive mechanical ventilation, emergency department (ED) admission, time from hospital admission to death, and total charges during a terminal hospitalization. RESULTS Among 21 335 patients with metastatic cancer who had terminal hospitalizations between 2010 and 2017, the median age was 65 years (interquartile range, 56-75 years); 54.0% of patients were female; 0.5% were American Indian, 3.3% were Asian or Pacific Islander, 14.1% were Black, 7.5% were Hispanic, 65.9% were White, and 3.1% were identified as other; 58.2% were insured by Medicare or Medicaid, and 33.2% were privately insured. Overall, 63.2% of patients were admitted from the ED, 4.6% received systemic therapy, and 19.2% received invasive mechanical ventilation during hospitalization. Racial and ethnic minority patients had a higher likelihood of being admitted from the ED (Asian or Pacific Islander patients: odds ratio [OR], 1.43 [95% CI, 1.20-1.72]; P < .001; Black patients: OR, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.27-1.52]; P < .001; and Hispanic patients: OR, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.28-1.64]; P < .001), receiving invasive mechanical ventilation (Black patients: OR, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.44-1.75]; P < .001), and incurring higher total charges (Asian or Pacific Islander patients: OR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.13-1.60]; P = .001; Black patients: OR, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.13-1.34]; P < .001; and Hispanic patients: OR, 1.50 [95% CI, 1.34-1.69]; P < .001) compared with White patients. Privately insured patients had a lower likelihood of being admitted from the ED (OR, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.44-0.51]; P < .001), receiving invasive mechanical ventilation (OR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.69-0.82]; P < .001), and incurring higher total charges (OR, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.59-0.68]; P < .001) compared with Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study, patients with metastatic cancer from racial and ethnic minority groups and those with Medicare or Medicaid coverage were more likely to receive low-value, aggressive interventions at the end of life. Further studies are needed to evaluate the underlying factors associated with disparities at the end of life to implement prospective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Deeb
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Fumiko L. Chino
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Lisa C. Diamond
- Immigrant Health and Cancer Disparities Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Anna Tao
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Abraham Aragones
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Armin Shahrokni
- Department of Geriatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Divya Yerramilli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Erin F. Gillespie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - C. Jillian Tsai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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Sokas C, Lee KC, Sturgeon D, Streid J, Lipsitz SR, Weissman JS, Kim DH, Cooper Z. Preoperative Frailty Status and Intensity of End-of-Life Care Among Older Adults After Emergency Surgery. J Pain Symptom Manage 2021; 62:66-74.e3. [PMID: 33212144 PMCID: PMC8124083 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Emergency general surgery (EGS) is common and highly morbid for older adults, particularly for those who are frail. However, there are little data on the quality of end-of-life care (EOLC) for this population. OBJECTIVES We sought to examine the association of frailty with intensity of EOLC for older adults with and without frailty who undergo EGS but die within one year. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included 100% Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries, ≥66 years, who underwent one of five EGS procedures with the highest mortality (partial colectomy, small bowel resection, peptic ulcer disease repair, adhesiolysis, or laparotomy) between 2008 and 2014 and died within one year. A validated claims-based frailty index (CFI) identified patients who were not frail (CFI < 0.15), prefrail (0.15 ≤ CFI < 0.25), mildly frail (0.25 ≤ CFI < 0.35), and moderately to severe frail (CFI ≥ 0.35). Multivariable adjusted logistic or Poisson regression compared post-discharge and EOL healthcare utilization. RESULTS Among 138,916 older EGS adults who died within one year, 32.2% were not frail, 31.7% were prefrail, 29.8% had mild frailty and 6.3% had moderate-to-severe frailty. Decedents with any degree of frailty experienced high-intensity EOLC (P < 0.01), low rates of hospice use (P < 0.01), and fewer days at home. Of those who survived the index hospitalization but died within one year, moderate-to-severely frail decedents had the highest odds of visiting an emergency department (odds ratio [OR] = 1.19, CI = 1.13-1.27), rehospitalization (OR = 1.23, CI = 1.16-1.31), or an intensive care unit admission (OR = 1.22, CI = 1.13-1.30) in the last 30 days of life compared to nonfrail decedents. CONCLUSION While all older patients undergoing EGS have poor end-of-life outcomes, frail EGS patients receive the highest intensity EOLC and represent a vulnerable population for whom targeted interventions could limit burdensome treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Sokas
- The Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katherine C Lee
- The Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Daniel Sturgeon
- The Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Stuart R Lipsitz
- The Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joel S Weissman
- The Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dae H Kim
- Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zara Cooper
- The Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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Luth EA, Maciejewski PK, Phongtankuel V, Xu J, Prigerson HG. Associations Between Hospice Care and Scary Family Caregiver Experiences. J Pain Symptom Manage 2021; 61:909-916. [PMID: 33038426 PMCID: PMC8024420 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Hospice deaths in the U.S. are increasing. Dying hospice patients may have rapidly emerging needs the hospice team cannot immediately meet, exposing family caregivers to fright-inducing (i.e., scary) situations. OBJECTIVES To examine relationships between hospice care and family caregiver exposures and psychological responses to witnessing common and distressing patient symptoms near the end of life. METHODS Secondary analysis of prospective cohort study of 169 patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers was analyzed. Multivariable regression analyses modeled associations between hospice use and caregiver exposures and psychological responses (fear and helplessness) to witnessing distressing symptoms common near death, adjusting for potential confounding influences (e.g., home death, patient characteristics, and suffering). Caregiver self-reported exposures and responses to observing patient symptoms during the last month of life were assessed using the validated Stressful Caregiving Response to Experiences of Dying (SCARED) scale. RESULTS Hospice care was significantly positively associated with more exposures and negative psychological responses to distressing patient symptoms, adjusting for home death, patient characteristics, and physical and mental suffering. On average, hospice patients' caregivers scored 1.6 points higher on the SCARED exposure scale and 6.2 points higher on the SCARED psychological response scale than caregivers of patients without hospice (exposure: 10.53 vs. 8.96; psychological responses: 29.85 vs. 23.67). Patient pain/discomfort, delirium, and difficulty swallowing/choking were reported by three-fourths of caregivers and associated with the most fear and helplessness among caregivers. CONCLUSION Hospice care is associated with more exposures to and caregiver fear and helplessness in response to scary patient experiences. Research is needed to understand how better to support family caregivers of hospice patients to enable them to cope with common distressing symptoms of dying cancer patients. Hospice clinicians providing additional education and training about these symptoms might enable caregivers to better care for dying loved ones and reduce the stresses of end-of-life caregiving.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jiehui Xu
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Parast L, Tolpadi AA, Teno JM, Elliott MN, Price RA. Hospice Care Experiences Among Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers. J Gen Intern Med 2021; 36:961-969. [PMID: 33469741 PMCID: PMC8042100 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06490-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the current quality of care for hospice cancer patients and how it varies across hospice programs in the USA. OBJECTIVE To examine hospice care experiences among decedents with a primary cancer diagnosis and their family caregivers, comparing quality across settings of hospice care. DESIGN We analyzed data from the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Hospice Survey (32% response rate). Top-box outcomes (0-100) were calculated overall and by care setting, adjusting for survey mode and patient case mix. PARTICIPANTS Two hundred seventeen thousand five hundred ninety-six caregiver respondents whose family member had a primary cancer diagnosis and died in 2017 or 2018 while receiving hospice care from 2,890 hospices nationwide. MAIN MEASURES Outcomes (0-100 scale) included 8 National Quality Forum-endorsed quality measures, as well as responses to 4 survey questions assessing whether needs were met for specific symptoms (pain, dyspnea, constipation, anxiety/sadness). KEY RESULTS Quality measure scores ranged from 74.9 (Getting Hospice Care Training measure) to 89.5 (Treating Family Member with Respect measure). The overall score for Getting Help for Symptoms was 75.1 with item scores within this measure ranging from 60.6 (getting needed help for feelings of anxiety or sadness) to 84.5 (getting needed help for pain). Measure scores varied significantly across settings and differences were large in magnitude, with caregivers of decedents who received care in a nursing home (NH) or assisted living facility (ALF) setting consistently reporting poorer quality of care. CONCLUSIONS Important opportunities exist to improve hospice care for symptom palliation and providing training for caregivers when their family members are at home or in an ALF setting. Efforts to improve care for cancer patients in the NH and ALF setting are especially needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joan M Teno
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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Christian TJ, Hassol A, Brooks GA, Gu Q, Kim S, Landrum MB, Keating NL. How Do Claims-Based Measures of End-of-Life Care Compare to Family Ratings of Care Quality? J Am Geriatr Soc 2020; 69:900-907. [PMID: 33165965 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Assess whether frequently-used claims-based end-of-life (EOL) measures are associated with higher ratings of care quality. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Deceased fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with cancer who underwent chemotherapy during July 2016 to January 2017 and died within 12 months and their caregiver respondents to an after-death survey (n = 2,559). MEASUREMENTS We examined claims-based measures of EOL care: chemotherapy 14 days or more before death; inpatient admissions, intensive care unit (ICU) use, and emergency department (ED) visits 30 days or more before death; hospice election and the timing of election before death. Primary outcomes are family ratings of "excellent" care in the last month of life and reports that hospice care began "at the right time." Associations were assessed with logistic regression, adjusted by patient characteristics. RESULTS Family rated EOL care as excellent less often, if within 30 days before death the cancer patient had inpatient admissions (1 hospitalization = 41.5% vs 51.5% none, adjusted difference -10.1 percentage points), ICU use (38.6% for any ICU use vs 47.4% none; adjusted difference -8.8 percentage points), ED visits (41.0% 1 visit vs 51.6% no visits; adjusted difference -10.6 percentage points), or elected hospice within 7 days before death. Among hospice enrollees, family more often reported that hospice began at the right time if it started at least 7 days before death (hospice 1-2 days before death 60.2% vs hospice 7-13 days 74.9%; adjusted difference +14.7 percentage points). CONCLUSIONS Claims-based measures of EOL care for cancer patients that reflect avoidance of hospital-based care and earlier hospice enrollment are associated with higher ratings of care quality by bereaved family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Christian
- Division of Health & Environment, Abt Associates, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrea Hassol
- Division of Health & Environment, Abt Associates, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gabriel A Brooks
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Qian Gu
- Division of Health & Environment, Abt Associates, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,KPMG US, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Seyoun Kim
- Division of Health & Environment, Abt Associates, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Health Care Management and Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mary Beth Landrum
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nancy L Keating
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Joung SY, Lee CW, Choi YS, Kim SM, Park SW, Mo ES, Park JH, Shin J, Lee HJ, Park HS. Analysis of the Time Interval between the Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment Completion and Death. Korean J Fam Med 2020; 41:392-397. [PMID: 32429012 PMCID: PMC7700825 DOI: 10.4082/kjfm.19.0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to explore the time interval distribution pattern between the Physicians Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form completion and death at a tertiary hospital in South Korea. It also examined the association between various independent parameters and POLST form completion timing. METHODS A total of 150 critically ill patients admitted to Korea University Guro Hospital between June 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 who completed the POLST form were retrospectively analyzed and included in this study. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, and group comparisons were performed using the chi-square test for categorical variables. Fisher's exact test was also used to compare cancer versus non-cancer groups. RESULTS More than half the decedents (54.7%) completed their POLST within 15 days of death and 73.4% within 30 days. The non-cancer group had the highest percentage of patients (77.8%) who died within 15 days of POLST form completion while the colorectal (39.1%) and other cancer (37.5%) groups had the lowest (P=0.336). CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrated a current need for more explicit guidance to assist physicians with initiating more timely, proactive end-of-life discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Yoon Joung
- Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chung-woo Lee
- Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Youn Seon Choi
- Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seon Mee Kim
- Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seok Won Park
- Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Shik Mo
- Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Hyun Park
- Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jean Shin
- Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Jin Lee
- Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hong Seok Park
- Department of Urology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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Leiter RE, Pu CT, Mazzola E, Gallagher J, Wright J, Manigault S, Moore ST, Bernacki RE. Engaging Hospices in Quality Measurement and Improvement: Early Experiences of a Large Integrated Health Care System. J Pain Symptom Manage 2020; 60:866-873.e4. [PMID: 32512046 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The quality of hospice care remains highly variable in the U.S. Patients, providers, and health care systems lack a comprehensive method of measuring the quality of care provided by an individual hospice. Partners HealthCare sought to assess hospice quality based on objective and quantitative criteria obtained directly from hospices and through public reporting. Here, we describe the process of creating and administering this assessment and the initial creation of a collaborative network with high-quality hospices. A multidisciplinary advisory council developed criteria and a scoring system, focusing on organizational information (e.g., nursing turnover), clinical care quality indicators (e.g., visit hours before death), and training (e.g., medical director certification) and satisfaction (e.g., patient and family surveys). All Medicare-certified hospices in good standing in Massachusetts were eligible to participate in a request for information (RFI) process. We blinded data before scoring and invited hospices scoring above the 15th percentile to join the initial collaborative. Of 72 eligible hospices, most (53%) responded to the RFI, and 32% (n = 23) submitted completed surveys. Hospices could receive up to 23.75 points, and scores ranged from 2.25 to 19.5. The median score was 13.62 (interquartile range 10.5-16.75). For hospices scoring above the 15th percentile (n = 19), scores ranged from 10.0 to 19.5 (median 14). The hospice RFI process is one health care system's attempt to evaluate hospice quality. Further research will determine whether the scoring system proves to be a sensitive, specific, and reproducible measure of hospice quality, and whether the collaborative can foster quality improvement over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Leiter
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Charles T Pu
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Center for Population Health, Partners Healthcare, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emanuele Mazzola
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Data Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Julia Gallagher
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jennifer Wright
- Population Health Management, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shekinah Manigault
- Center for Population Health, Partners Healthcare, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Susan T Moore
- Case Management Department, Spaulding Rehabilitation Network, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rachelle E Bernacki
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Kavalieratos D, Georgiopoulos AM, Dhingra L, Basile MJ, Rabinowitz E, Hempstead SE, Faro A, Dellon EP. Models of Palliative Care Delivery for Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Evidence-Informed Consensus Guidelines. J Palliat Med 2020; 24:18-30. [PMID: 32936045 PMCID: PMC7757696 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2020.0311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) affects more than 70,000 individuals and their families worldwide. Although outcomes for individuals with CF continue to improve, it remains a life-limiting condition with no cure. Individuals with CF manage extensive symptom and treatment burdens and face complex medical decisions throughout the illness course. Although palliative care has been shown to reduce suffering by alleviating illness-related burdens for people with serious illness and their families, little is known regarding the components and structure of various delivery models of palliative care needed to improve outcomes for people affected by CF. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) assembled an expert panel of clinicians, researchers, individuals with CF, and family caregivers, to develop consensus recommendations for models of best practices for palliative care in CF. Eleven statements were developed based on a systematic literature review and expert opinion, and address primary palliative care, specialty palliative care, and screening for palliative needs. These recommendations are intended to comprehensively address palliative care needs and improve quality of life for individuals with CF at all stages of illness and development, and their caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dio Kavalieratos
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Anna M Georgiopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lara Dhingra
- MJHS Institute for Innovation in Palliative Care, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Family and Social Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Melissa J Basile
- Department of Medicine, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Albert Faro
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Elisabeth P Dellon
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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El-Jawahri A, Traeger L, Greer JA, Vanbenschoten O, Markovitz N, Cashavelly B, Tata LA, Nipp RD, Reynolds KL, Goyal L, Bhatt S, Fishman S, Horick N, Li Z, Volandes A, Temel JS. Randomized trial of a hospice video educational tool for patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers. Cancer 2020; 126:3569-3578. [PMID: 32508043 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers have substantial misperceptions regarding hospice, which contributes to its underuse. METHODS The authors conducted a single-site randomized trial of a video educational tool versus a verbal description of hospice in 150 hospitalized patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers. Patients without a caregiver were eligible. Intervention participants (75 patients and 18 caregivers) viewed a 6-minute video depicting hospice. Control participants (75 patients and 26 caregivers) received a verbal description identical to the video narrative. The primary outcome was patient preference for hospice. Secondary outcomes included patient and/or caregiver knowledge and perceptions of hospice, and hospice use. RESULTS Between February 2017 and January 2019, approximately 55.7% of eligible patients (150 of 269 eligible patients) and 44 caregivers were enrolled. After the intervention, there was no difference noted with regard to patients' preferences for hospice (86.7% vs 82.7%; P = .651). Patients in the video group reported greater knowledge regarding hospice (9.0 vs 8.4; P = .049) and were less likely to endorse that hospice is only about death (6.7% vs 21.6%; P = .010). Among deceased patients, those assigned to the intervention were more likely to have used hospice (85.2% vs 63.6%; P = .01) and to have had a longer hospice length of stay (median, 12 days vs 3 days; P < .001). After the intervention, caregivers assigned to view the video were more likely to prefer hospice for their loved ones (94.4% vs 65.4%; P = .031), reported greater knowledge concerning hospice (9.7% vs 8.0%; P = .001), and were less likely to endorse that hospice is only about death (0.0% vs 23.1%; P = .066). CONCLUSIONS A hospice video did not significantly impact patients' preferences for hospice care. Patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers who were assigned to view the video were more informed regarding hospice and reported more favorable perceptions of hospice. Patients were more likely to use hospice and to have a longer hospice length of stay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Areej El-Jawahri
- Department of Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lara Traeger
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joseph A Greer
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Olivia Vanbenschoten
- Department of Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Netana Markovitz
- Department of Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Barbara Cashavelly
- Department of Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lee Ann Tata
- Department of Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ryan D Nipp
- Department of Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kerry L Reynolds
- Department of Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lipika Goyal
- Department of Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sunil Bhatt
- Department of Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sarah Fishman
- Department of Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nora Horick
- Department of Biostatistics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zhigang Li
- University of Florida at Gainesville, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Angelo Volandes
- Department of Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jennifer S Temel
- Department of Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Ko E, Fuentes D, Singh-Carlson S, Nedjat-Haiem F. Challenges and facilitators of hospice decision-making: a retrospective review of family caregivers of home hospice patients in a rural US-Mexico border region-a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e035634. [PMID: 32611740 PMCID: PMC7332198 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hospice care (HC) is seen as a comprehensive approach, that enhances quality of end-of-life (EOL) care, for terminally ill patients. Despite its positive aspects, HC enrolment is disproportionate for rural patients, who are less likely to use HC in comparison to their urban counterparts. The purpose of this study was to explore decision-making experiences, related to utilisation of HC programmes from a retrospective perspective, with family caregivers (FCGs) in a rural US-Mexico border region. DESIGN This qualitative study was conducted from May 2017 to January 2018 using semistructured face to face interviews with FCGs. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. SETTING The HC programme was situated at a local home health agency, located in rural Southern California, USA. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-eight informal FCGs of patients who were actively enrolled in the HC programme agreed to participate in the study. RESULTS Conversation about HC as an option was initiated by home healthcare staff (39.3%), followed by physicians (32.1%). Emerging themes related to challenges in utilisation of HC and decision-making included: (1) communication barriers; (2) lack of knowledge/misperception about HC; (3) emotional difficulties, including fear of losing their patient, doubt and uncertainty about the decision, denial and (4) patients are not ready for HC. Facilitators included: (1) patient's known EOL wishes; (2) FCG-physician EOL communication; (3) the patient's deteriorating health and (4) home as the place for death. CONCLUSIONS HC patients' FCGs in this rural region reported a lack of knowledge or misunderstanding of HC. It is recommended that healthcare providers need to actively engage family members in patient's EOL care planning. Optimal transition to an HC programme can be facilitated when FCGs are informed and have a clear understanding about patients' medical status along with information about HC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunjeong Ko
- Social Work, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Dahlia Fuentes
- Social Work, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
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Thienprayoon R, Grossoehme D, Humphrey L, Pestian T, Frimpong-Manso M, Malcolm H, Kitamura E, Jenkins R, Friebert S. “There's Just No Way to Help, and They Did.” Parents Name Compassionate Care as a New Domain of Quality in Pediatric Home-Based Hospice and Palliative Care. J Palliat Med 2020; 23:767-776. [DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2019.0418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Thienprayoon
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Anesthesia, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Daniel Grossoehme
- Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Division and Rebecca C. Considine Research Institute, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio, USA
| | - Lisa Humphrey
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Teresa Pestian
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Millicent Frimpong-Manso
- Division of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Hailey Malcolm
- Department of Pastoral Care, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Elizabeth Kitamura
- Department of Spiritual Care, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rachel Jenkins
- Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Division and Rebecca C. Considine Research Institute, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio, USA
| | - Sarah Friebert
- Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Division and Rebecca C. Considine Research Institute, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio, USA
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47
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Odejide OO, Steensma DP. Patients with haematological malignancies should not have to choose between transfusions and hospice care. LANCET HAEMATOLOGY 2020; 7:e418-e424. [PMID: 32359453 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3026(20)30042-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hospice programmes are important for providing end-of-life care to patients with life-limiting illnesses. Hospice enrolment improves quality of life for patients with advanced cancer and reduces the risk of depression for caregivers. Despite the clear benefits of hospice care, patients with haematological malignancies have the lowest rates of enrolment among patients with any tumour subtype. Furthermore, when patients with haematological disorders do enrol into hospice care, they are more likely to do so within 3 days of death than are patients with non-haematological malignancies. Although reasons for low and late hospice use in this population are multifactorial, a key barrier is limited access to blood transfusions in hospice programmes. In this Viewpoint, we discuss the relationship between transfusion dependence and hospice use for patients with blood cancers. We suggest that rather than constraining patients into either transfusion or hospice models, policies that promote combining palliative transfusions with hospice services are likely to optimise end-of-life care for patients with haematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oreofe O Odejide
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - David P Steensma
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
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48
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Schifeling CH, Fischer SM. Missing the Mark: High Rates of Absent and Untimely Access to Specialty Palliative Care in Patients with Peri-Hospital Mortality. J Palliat Med 2020; 23:1485-1492. [PMID: 32282253 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2019.0628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite mounting evidence that specialty palliative care (PC) improves patients' symptoms, quality of life, and goal concordant care, these services are likely underutilized. Objective: To determine the rate of missed and delayed opportunities for specialty PC in patients with peri-hospital death. Design: A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis, using electronic medical records of a state-wide healthcare system in Colorado, was performed. Included were adults who died during admission or within seven days of discharge from January 2015 to October 2018 at an academic medical center and had prior encounters within the affiliated state-wide healthcare system in the last year of life. Excluded were patients with sudden or obstetrics-related deaths. Referral orders from the electronic medical record identified specialty PC consultation. Data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment linked with the medical record determined time from first PC consultation to death. Results: The sample included 2088 decedent patients, with most deaths (81%) occurring in the hospital. Only 33% of patients had PC consultation, which was higher for patients with cancer (42%) than for those without cancer (26%). Of patients with specialty PC consultation, the median time from first referral to death was eight days (interquartile range: 3.25-25 days). Conclusions: Patients with peri-hospital death have low rates of specialty PC consultation, which, when present, often occurs close to death. This suggests there is a high rate of missed opportunities for specialty PC in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher H Schifeling
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Stacy M Fischer
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Abstract
In the last six months of life, 30% of Medicare beneficiaries use the skilled nursing facility (SNF) benefit for post-acute care after a hospital stay. Frequently, the circumstances that indicate a need for SNF care are the same as those of a worsening illness trajectory such as functional decline and falls, unstable health conditions, and pain and other symptoms. The following case example and narrative discussion describes the national implications of this issue and the need for Medicare policy changes that allow for concurrent rehabilitative care and hospice services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan G Carpenter
- University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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50
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Currow DC, Agar MR, Phillips JL. Role of Hospice Care at the End of Life for People With Cancer. J Clin Oncol 2020; 38:937-943. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.18.02235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Patient-defined factors that are important at the end of life include being physically independent for as long as possible, good symptom control, and spending quality time with friends and family. Hospice care adds to the quality of care and these patient-centered priorities for people with cancer and their families in the last weeks and days of life. Evidence from large observational studies demonstrate that hospice care can improve outcomes directly and support better and more appropriate health care use for people in the last stages of cancer. Team-based community hospice care has measurable benefits for patients, their family caregivers, and health services. In addition to improved symptom control for patients and a greater likelihood of time spent at home, caregiver outcomes are better when hospice care is accessed: informational needs are better met, and caregivers have an improved ability to move on with life after the patient’s death compared with people who did not have access to these services. Hospice care continues to evolve as its reach expands and the needs of patients continue to broaden. This is reflected in the transition from hospice being based on excellence in nursing to teams with a broad range of health professionals to meet the complex and changing needs of patients and their families. Additional integration of cancer services with hospice care will help to provide more seamless care for patients and supporting family caregivers during their caregiving and after the death of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C. Currow
- University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Meera R. Agar
- University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
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