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Bowers B, Pollock K, Wilkerson I, Massou E, Brimicombe J, Barclay S. Administering injectable medications prescribed in the anticipation of the end of life in the community: A mixed-methods observational study. Int J Nurs Stud 2024; 153:104734. [PMID: 38762308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104734] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prescription of injectable anticipatory medications ahead of possible need for last-days-of-life symptom relief is established community practice internationally. Healthcare teams and policy makers view anticipatory medication as having a key role in optimising effective and timely symptom control. However, how these medications are subsequently administered (used) is unclear and warrants detailed investigation to inform interdisciplinary practice and guidance. OBJECTIVE To identify the frequency, timing and recorded circumstances of the administration of injectable end-of-life anticipatory medications prescribed for patients living at home and in residential care. DESIGN A retrospective mixed-methods observational study using general practitioner (family doctor) and community nursing held clinical records. SETTING(S) Community-based care in two English counties. PARTICIPANTS 167 deceased adult patients (aged 18+) registered with eleven general practitioner practices and two associated community nursing services. These were patients prescribed anticipatory medications, identified from the 30 most recent deaths per practice. Patients died between 1 March 2017 and 25 September 2019, from any cause except trauma, sudden death or suicide. METHODS Patient characteristics, anticipatory medication discussions, recorded administration contexts and decision-making, medication details, recorded symptom control and comfort at death were collected from clinical records. Data analysis combined quantitative and qualitative analyses in a mixed methods approach. RESULTS Anticipatory medications were administered to 59.9 % (100/167) patients, commenced between 0 and 586 days before death (median 3 days). Their usage was similar for patients who died from cancer and non-cancer conditions. Anticipatory medications were almost universally started and titrated by visiting nurses. Eleven patients had medications started between 59 days and 586 days before death for recorded reversible non-end-of-life care conditions. Only 5 % (5/100) of patient records contained detailed accounts of patient participation in decisions to start medications: four were recorded as being reluctant to commence medications but agreed to trial injections to relieve symptoms. Crucially, there was recurrent under-recording of the effectiveness of injectable medications and patient comfort. CONCLUSIONS Prescribed medications were commonly administered by visiting community nurses to help manage last-days-of-life symptoms. However, patient records infrequently referred to the effectiveness of administered medication and perceived patient comfort. Most recorded references to patient and family preferences for involvement in anticipatory medication decision-making and their experiences of care were brief and perfunctory. More detailed information should be routinely recorded in clinical records to enable assessment of the appropriate and effective use of anticipatory medicines and how inter-professional collaboration and services could be developed to provide adequate twenty-four-hour cover. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT Effectiveness of injectable end-of-life symptom control medications and patient comfort often under-recorded @Ben_Bowers__ @PELi_Cam @TheQNI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Bowers
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Queen's Nursing Institute, London, United Kingdom; Nottingham Centre for the Advancement of Research into Supportive, Palliative and End-of-Life Care, School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - Kristian Pollock
- Nottingham Centre for the Advancement of Research into Supportive, Palliative and End-of-Life Care, School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Isobel Wilkerson
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Efthalia Massou
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - James Brimicombe
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Barclay
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Leniz J, Gulliford M, Higginson IJ, Bajwah S, Yi D, Gao W, Sleeman KE. Primary care contacts, continuity, identification of palliative care needs, and hospital use: a population-based cohort study in people dying with dementia. Br J Gen Pract 2022; 72:BJGP.2021.0715. [PMID: 35817583 PMCID: PMC9282808 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp.2021.0715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reducing hospital admissions among people dying with dementia is a policy priority. AIM To explore associations between primary care contacts, continuity of primary care, identification of palliative care needs, and unplanned hospital admissions among people dying with dementia. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a retrospective cohort study using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink linked with hospital records and Office for National Statistics data. Adults (>18 years) who died between 2009 and 2018 with a diagnosis of dementia were included in the study. METHOD The association between GP contacts, Herfindahl-Hirschman Index continuity of care score, palliative care needs identification before the last 90 days of life, and multiple unplanned hospital admissions in the last 90 days was evaluated using random-effects Poisson regression. RESULTS In total, 33 714 decedents with dementia were identified: 64.1% (n = 21 623) female, mean age 86.6 years (SD 8.1), mean comorbidities 2.2 (SD 1.6). Of these, 1894 (5.6%) had multiple hospital admissions in the last 90 days of life (increase from 4.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.2 to 5.6 in 2009 to 7.1%, 95% CI = 5.7 to 8.4 in 2018). Participants with more GP contacts had higher risk of multiple hospital admissions (incidence risk ratio [IRR] 1.08, 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.11). Higher continuity of care scores (IRR 0.79, 95% CI = 0.68 to 0.92) and identification of palliative care needs (IRR 0.66, 95% CI = 0.56 to 0.78) were associated with lower frequency of these admissions. CONCLUSION Multiple hospital admissions among people dying with dementia are increasing. Higher continuity of care and identification of palliative care needs are associated with a lower risk of multiple hospital admissions in this population, and might help prevent these admissions at the end of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javiera Leniz
- NIHR clinician scientist and honorary consultant in palliative medicine, Cicely Saunders Institute for Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King's College London, London
| | - Martin Gulliford
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Life Science & Medicine, King's College London, London
| | - Irene J Higginson
- NIHR clinician scientist and honorary consultant in palliative medicine, Cicely Saunders Institute for Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King's College London, London
| | - Sabrina Bajwah
- NIHR clinician scientist and honorary consultant in palliative medicine, Cicely Saunders Institute for Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King's College London, London
| | - Deokhee Yi
- NIHR clinician scientist and honorary consultant in palliative medicine, Cicely Saunders Institute for Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King's College London, London
| | - Wei Gao
- NIHR clinician scientist and honorary consultant in palliative medicine, Cicely Saunders Institute for Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King's College London, London
| | - Katherine E Sleeman
- NIHR clinician scientist and honorary consultant in palliative medicine, Cicely Saunders Institute for Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King's College London, London
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Bowers B, Pollock K, Barclay S. Unwelcome memento mori or best clinical practice? Community end of life anticipatory medication prescribing practice: A mixed methods observational study. Palliat Med 2022; 36:95-104. [PMID: 34493122 PMCID: PMC8796157 DOI: 10.1177/02692163211043382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anticipatory medications are injectable drugs prescribed ahead of possible need for administration if distressing symptoms arise in the final days of life. Little is known about how they are prescribed in primary care. AIM To investigate the frequency, timing and recorded circumstances of anticipatory medications prescribing for patients living at home and in residential care. DESIGN Retrospective mixed methods observational study using General Practitioner and community nursing clinical records. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS 329 deceased adult patients registered with Eleven General Practitioner practices and two associated community nursing services in two English counties (30 most recent deaths per practice). Patients died from any cause except trauma, sudden death or suicide, between 4 March 2017 and 25 September 2019. RESULTS Anticipatory medications were prescribed for 167/329 (50.8%) of the deceased patients, between 0 and 1212 days before death (median 17 days). The likelihood of prescribing was significantly higher for patients with a recorded preferred place of death (odds ratio [OR] 34; 95% CI 15-77; p < 0.001) and specialist palliative care involvement (OR 7; 95% CI 3-19; p < 0.001). For 66.5% of patients (111/167) anticipatory medications were recorded as being prescribed as part of a single end-of-life planning intervention. CONCLUSION The variability in the timing of prescriptions highlights the challenges in diagnosing the end-of-life phase and the potential risks of prescribing far in advance of possible need. Patient and family views and experiences of anticipatory medication care, and their preferences for involvement in prescribing decision-making, warrant urgent investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Bowers
- Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kristian Pollock
- Nottingham Centre for the Advancement of Research into Supportive, Palliative and End of Life Care, School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Stephen Barclay
- Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Leniz J, Yi D, Yorganci E, Williamson LE, Suji T, Cripps R, Higginson IJ, Sleeman KE. Exploring costs, cost components, and associated factors among people with dementia approaching the end of life: A systematic review. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2021; 7:e12198. [PMID: 34541291 PMCID: PMC8438684 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Understanding costs of care for people dying with dementia is essential to guide service development, but information has not been systematically reviewed. We aimed to understand (1) which cost components have been measured in studies reporting the costs of care in people with dementia approaching the end of life, (2) what the costs are and how they change closer to death, and (3) which factors are associated with these costs. METHODS We searched the electronic databases CINAHL, Medline, Cochrane, Web of Science, EconLit, and Embase and reference lists of included studies. We included any type of study published between 1999 and 2019, in any language, reporting primary data on costs of health care in individuals with dementia approaching the end of life. Two independent reviewers screened all full-text articles. We used the Evers' Consensus on Health Economic Criteria checklist to appraise the risk of bias of included studies. RESULTS We identified 2843 articles after removing duplicates; 19 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 16 were from the United States. Only two studies measured informal costs including out-of-pocket expenses and informal caregiving. The monthly total direct cost of care rose toward death, from $1787 to $2999 USD in the last 12 months, to $4570 to $11921 USD in the last month of life. Female sex, Black ethnicity, higher educational background, more comorbidities, and greater cognitive impairment were associated with higher costs. DISCUSSION Costs of dementia care rise closer to death. Informal costs of care are high but infrequently included in analyses. Research exploring the costs of care for people with dementia by proximity to death, including informal care costs and from outside the United States, is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javiera Leniz
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and RehabilitationKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Deokhee Yi
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and RehabilitationKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Emel Yorganci
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and RehabilitationKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Lesley E. Williamson
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and RehabilitationKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Trisha Suji
- School of Medical EducationFaculty of Life Science and MedicineKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Rachel Cripps
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and RehabilitationKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Irene J. Higginson
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and RehabilitationKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Katherine E. Sleeman
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and RehabilitationKing's College LondonLondonUK
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Saunders S, Downar J, Subramaniam S, Embuldeniya G, van Walraven C, Wegier P. mHOMR: the acceptability of an automated mortality prediction model for timely identification of patients for palliative care. BMJ Qual Saf 2021; 30:837-840. [PMID: 33632758 DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2020-012461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Saunders
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - James Downar
- Division of Palliative Care, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Gaya Embuldeniya
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carl van Walraven
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Epidemiology & Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pete Wegier
- Humber River Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada .,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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