1
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Chu CS. Using routine databases to evaluate Electronic Palliative Care Co-ordination Systems (EPaCCS). BMJ Evid Based Med 2022; 27:55-59. [PMID: 33514651 DOI: 10.1136/bmjebm-2019-111332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
In response to the government's drive to expand Electronic Palliative Care Co-ordination Systems (EPaCCS) across England by 2020, further evidence for this intervention needs to be established quickly. With palliative and end-of-life care research being an underfunded area, the availability and lower costs of routine databases make it an attractive resource to integrate into studies evaluating EPaCCS without jeopardising research quality. This article describes how routine databases can be used to address the current paucity of high-quality evidence; they can be used in a range of study designs, including randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs, and may also be able to contribute quality of life or patient-reported outcome measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Sian Chu
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, London, UK
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation, King's College London, London, UK
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2
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Tark A, Kamalumpundi V, Song J, Chae S, Stone PW, Gilbertson-White S, Buck H. A Review of Web-Based COVID-19 Resources for Palliative Care Clinicians, Patients, and Their Caregivers. J Hosp Palliat Nurs 2021; 23:316-322. [PMID: 33605646 PMCID: PMC8265238 DOI: 10.1097/njh.0000000000000755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Palliative and end-of-life care has been pushed to the forefront of medical care during the pandemic caused by the coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19). Palliative care organizations have responded to the growing demand for the rapid dissemination of research, clinical guidance, and instructions for care to clinicians, patients with COVID-19, and their caregivers by creating COVID-19 resource Web pages. Here, end users can access resources that can be updated in real time. These Web pages, however, can be variable in what resources they offer and for whom they are designed for (clinicians, patients, caregivers). Therefore, this project was conducted to consolidate these resources via summary tables of specific contents available through each Web page grouped by palliative care domains (eg, care discussion and planning, communication, symptom management, care access) and to identify the target audience. This environmental scan was conducted by compiling a comprehensive list of COVID-19 resource Web pages of palliative care organizations generated by reviewing previously published research studies and consulting with palliative care research experts. Snowballing techniques were used to identify resource Web pages not captured in the initial scan. Two reviewers independently evaluated eligible Web pages for content via a form developed for the study, and Cohen κ statistic was calculated to ensure interrater reliability. The final κ statistic was 0.76. Of the 24 websites screened, 15 websites met our eligibility criteria. Among the eligible resource Web pages, most (n = 12, 80%) had specific target audiences and care settings, whereas the rest presented information targeted to all audiences. Although 11 Web pages offered resources that addressed all 4 domains, only 1 Web page conveyed all 12 subdomains. We recommend the use of this guide to all frontline clinicians who require guidance in clinically managing patients with COVID-19 receiving palliative care and/or end-of-life care.
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Brackett H, Forman A, Foster LA, Fischer SM. Compassionate Removal of Heated High-Flow Nasal Cannula for End of Life: Case Series and Protocol Development. J Hosp Palliat Nurs 2021; 23:360-366. [PMID: 34081632 DOI: 10.1097/njh.0000000000000769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Patients often receive burdensome care at the end of life in the form of interventions that may need to be removed. Heated high-flow oxygen delivered through a nasal cannula (HHFNC) is one such intervention that can be delivered in the hospital yet is rarely available outside of this setting. During the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, health care systems continue to face the possibility of rationing critical life-sustaining equipment that may include HHFNC. We present a clinical protocol designed for weaning HHFNC to allow a natural death and ensuring adequate symptom management throughout the process. This was a retrospective chart review of 8 patients seen by an inpatient palliative care service of an academic tertiary referral hospital who underwent terminal weaning of HHFNC using a structured protocol to manage dyspnea. Eight patients with diverse medical diagnoses, including COVID-19 pneumonia, underwent terminal weaning of HHFNC according to the clinical protocol with 4 down-titrations of approximately 25% for both fraction of inspired oxygen and liter flow with preemptive boluses of opioid and benzodiazepine. Clinical documentation supported good symptom control throughout the weaning process. This case series provides preliminary evidence that the clinical protocol proposed has the ability to ensure comfort through terminal weaning of HHFNC.
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Chiang JK, Kao YH. Quality of end-of-life care of home-based care with or without palliative services for patients with advanced illnesses. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e25841. [PMID: 33950997 PMCID: PMC8104190 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000025841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Palliative care has improved quality of end-of-life (EOL) care for patients with cancer, and these benefits may be extended to patients with other serious illnesses. EOL care quality for patients with home-based care is a critical problem for health care providers. We compare EOL quality care between patients with advanced illnesses receiving home-based care with and without palliative services.The medical records of deceased patients who received home-based care at a community teaching hospital in south Taiwan from January to December 2019 were collected retrospectively. We analyzed EOL care quality indicators during the last month of life.A total of 164 patients were included for analysis. Fifty-two (31.7%) received palliative services (HP group), and 112 (68.3%) did not receive palliative services (non-HP group). Regarding the quality indicators of EOL care, we discovered that a lower percentage of the HP group died in a hospital than did that of the non-HP group (34.6% vs 62.5%, P = .001) through univariate analysis. We found that the HP group had lower scores on the aggressiveness of EOL care than did the non-HP group (0.5 ± 0.9 vs 1.0 ± 1.0, P<.001). Furthermore, palliative services were a significant and negative factor of dying in a hospital after adjustment (OR = 0.13, 95%CI = 0.05-0.36, P < .001).For patients with advanced illnesses receiving home-based care, palliative services are associated with lower scores on the aggressiveness of EOL care and a reduced probability of dying in a hospital.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jui-Kun Chiang
- Department of Family Medicine, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Dalin, Chiayi
| | - Yee-Hsin Kao
- Department of Family Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital (Managed by Show Chwan Medical Care Corporation), Tainan, Taiwan
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE There is widespread consensus on the challenges to meeting the end-of-life wishes of decedents in the US. However, there is broad but not always recognized success in meeting wishes among decedents 65 years and older. OBJECTIVE To assess how well end-of-life wishes of decedents 65 years and older are met in the last year of life. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This quality improvement study involved 3 planned samples of family members or informants identified as the primary contact in the medical record of Kaiser Permanente Southern California decedents. The first sample was 715 decedents, 65 years or older, who died between April 1 and May 31, 2017. The second was a high-cost sample of 332 decedents, 65 years or older, who died between June 1, 2016, and May 31, 2017, and whose costs in the last year of life were in the top 10% of the costs of all decedents. The third was a lower-cost sample with 655 decedents whose costs were not in the top 10%. The survey was fielded between December 19, 2017, and February 8, 2018. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Meeting end-of-life wishes, discussions with next of kin and physicians, types of discordant care, and perceptions of amount of care received. RESULTS Surveys were completed by 715 of the 2281 next of kin in the all-decedent sample (mean [SD] decedent age, 80.9 [8.9] years; 361 [50.5%] male) for a 31% response rate; in 332 of the 1339 next of kin in the high-cost sample (mean [SD] decedent age, 75.5 [7.1] years; 194 [48.4%] male) for a 25% response rate; and in 659 of 2058 in the lower-cost sample (mean [SD] decedent age, 81.6 [8.8] years) for a 32% response rate. Respondents noted that high percentages of decedents received treatment that was concordant with their desires: 601 (88.9%) had their wishes met, 39 (5.9%) received a treatment they did not want, and 554 (84.1%) filled out an advance directive. A total of 509 respondents (82.5%) believed the amount of care was the right amount. Those with the highest costs had their wishes met at lower rates than those with lower costs (250 [80.1%] vs 553 [89.6%]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this Kaiser Permanente Southern California cohort, a large proportion of decedents 65 years and older had end-of-life discussions and documentation, had their wishes met, and received the amount of care they thought appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P. Glass
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California
- Department of Health Systems Science, Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Kaiser Permanente, Pasadena, California
| | - Susan E. Wang
- Life Care Planning and Serious Illness Care, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Los Angeles
| | | | - Michael H. Kanter
- Department of Clinical Science, Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Kaiser Permanente, Pasadena, California
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Crispo MM, Strout TD, Munzig LM, Lerwick PA. A "Good Death" During Coronavirus Disease 2019: Outdoor Terminal Extubation Facilitates Safe Family Presence for a Dying Patient. J Pain Symptom Manage 2021; 61:e20-e22. [PMID: 33137421 PMCID: PMC7604129 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tania D Strout
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Patricia A Lerwick
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, USA
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Martinsson L, Strang P, Bergström J, Lundström S. Were Clinical Routines for Good End-of-Life Care Maintained in Hospitals and Nursing Homes During the First Three Months of the Outbreak of COVID-19? A National Register Study. J Pain Symptom Manage 2021; 61:e11-e19. [PMID: 33035649 PMCID: PMC7538392 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.09.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Although the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic might affect important clinical routines, few studies have focused on the maintenance of good quality in end-of-life care. OBJECTIVES The objective was to examine whether adherence to clinical routines for good end-of-life care differed for deaths because of COVID-19 compared with a reference cohort from 2019 and whether they differed between nursing homes and hospitals. METHODS Data about five items reflecting clinical routines for persons who died an expected death from COVID-19 during the first three months of the pandemic (March-May 2020) were collected from the Swedish Register of Palliative Care. The items were compared between the COVID-19 group and the reference cohort and between the nursing home and hospital COVID-19 deaths. RESULTS About 1316 expected deaths were identified in nursing homes and 685 in hospitals. Four of the five items differed for total COVID-19 group compared with the reference cohort: fewer were examined by a physician during the last days before death, pain and oral health were less likely to be assessed, and fewer had a specialized palliative care team consultation (P < 0.0001, respectively). Assessment of symptoms other than pain did not differ significantly. The five items differed between the nursing homes and hospitals in the COVID-19 group, most notably regarding the proportion of persons examined by a physician during the last days (nursing homes: 18%; hospitals: 100%). CONCLUSION This national register study shows that several clinical routines for end-of-life care did not meet the usual standards during the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden. Higher preparedness for and monitoring of end-of-life care quality should be integrated into future pandemic plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Martinsson
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå university, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Peter Strang
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm and R & D Department, Stockholms Sjukhem Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas Bergström
- Palliative Care Unit Stockholms, Sjukhem Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Staffan Lundström
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm and R & D Department, Stockholms Sjukhem Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden
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Speelberg HB, Shand B, Goodwin J, Wiseman R, Belluscio L, Grundy K. An evaluation of the contents of advance care plans and their use in patients admitted to a public hospital. N Z Med J 2020; 133:55-66. [PMID: 33332340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
AIM This retrospective review examined the influence of age and severity of comorbidities on goals-of-care in advance care plans (ACPlans) and concordance between these wishes and care received during hospital admission. METHODS The medical records of 149 people with an ACPlan admitted to a public hospital were reviewed to evaluate concordance with treatment. The associations between age and comorbidities and goals-of-care were determined using contingency tables and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS The majority of the review cohort were Caucasian and elderly, with people from minority ethnic groups under-represented compared to census data. Increasing age had a measurable influence on the choice of goal-of-care, whereas comorbidity severity had less influence on this decision. In 60 of the 411 hospital admissions the patient was classified as incompetent, with the goal-of-care adhered to in 59 of these cases and treatment preferences adhered to in six of seven cases. Fifty-five people had died since writing their ACPlan, with 63% dying at their preferred place or with no preference stated. CONCLUSIONS Age and to a lesser extent the severity of comorbidities influence the choice of goal-of-care in an ACPlan. Our review also showed that end-of-life care appeared to adhere to the instructions in the plan.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brett Shand
- Medical Writer, The Canterbury Initiative, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch
| | - Jane Goodwin
- Advance Care Planning Facilitator, The Canterbury Initiative, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch
| | - Rachel Wiseman
- Consultant Physician, Respiratory Medicine, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch
| | - Laura Belluscio
- Biostatistician, Hospital Services Administration, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch
| | - Kate Grundy
- Palliative Care Physician, Oncology Services, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch
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MacNeil Vroomen JL, Kjellstadli C, Allore HG, van der Steen JT, Husebo B. Reform influences location of death: Interrupted time-series analysis on older adults and persons with dementia. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241132. [PMID: 33147248 PMCID: PMC7641450 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Norway instituted a Coordination Reform in 2012 aimed at maximizing time at home by providing in-home care through community services. Dying in a hospital can be highly stressful for patients and families. Persons with dementia are particularly vulnerable to negative outcomes in hospital. This study aims to describe changes in the proportion of older adults with and without dementia dying in nursing homes, home, hospital and other locations over an 11-year period covering the reform. Methods and findings This is a repeated cross-sectional, population-level study using mortality data from the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry hosted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Participants were Norwegian older adults 65 years or older with and without dementia who died from 2006 to 2017. The policy intervention was the 2012 Coordination Reform that increased care infrastructure into communities. The primary outcome was location of death listed as a nursing home, home, hospital or other location. The trend in the proportion of location of death, before and after the reform was estimated using an interrupted time-series analysis. All analyses were adjusted for sex and seasonality. Of the 417,862 older adult decedents, 61,940 (14.8%) had dementia identified on their death certificate. Nursing home deaths increased over time while hospital deaths decreased for the total population (adjusted Relative Risk Ratio (aRRR) 0.87, 95% CI 0.82–0.92) and persons with dementia (aRRR: 0.93, 95%CI 0.91–0.96) after reform implementation. Conclusion This study provides evidence that the 2012 Coordination Reform was associated with decreased older adults dying in hospital and increased nursing home death; however, the number of people dying at home did not change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet L. MacNeil Vroomen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Geriatric Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, North Holland, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Camilla Kjellstadli
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Heather G. Allore
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Geriatrics, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, The United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, The United States of America
| | - Jenny T. van der Steen
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bettina Husebo
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Municipality of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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10
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Johnson CE, Senior H, McVey P, Team V, Ives A, Mitchell G. End-of-life care in rural and regional Australia: Patients', carers' and general practitioners' expectations of the role of general practice, and the degree to which they were met. Health Soc Care Community 2020; 28:2160-2171. [PMID: 32488974 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The study objective was to explore the characteristics of rural general practice which exemplify optimal end-of-life (EOL) care from the perspective of people diagnosed with cancer, their informal carers and general practitioners (GPs); and the extent to which consumers perceived that actual EOL care addressed these characteristics. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with six people diagnosed with cancer, three informal carers and four GPs in rural and regional Australia. Using a social constructionist approach, thematic analysis was undertaken. Seven characteristics were perceived to be essential for optimal EOL care: (1) commitment and availability, (2) building of therapeutic relationships, (3) effective communication, (4) psychosocial support, (5) proficient symptom management, (6) care coordination and (7) recognition of the needs of carers. Most GPs consistently addressed these characteristics. Comprehensive EOL care that meets the needs of people dying with cancer is not beyond the resources of rural and regional GPs and communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Johnson
- Monash Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Supportive and Palliative Care, Easter Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hugh Senior
- Primary Care Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peta McVey
- Susan Wakil School of Nursing, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Victoria Team
- Monash Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Angela Ives
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Geoffrey Mitchell
- Primary Care Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan P Jacobsen
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jeremy A Epstein
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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12
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Mottiar M, Hendin A, Fischer L, Roze des Ordons A, Hartwick M. End-of-life care in patients with a highly transmissible respiratory virus: implications for COVID-19. Can J Anaesth 2020; 67:1417-1423. [PMID: 32394338 PMCID: PMC7212843 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-020-01699-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Symptom management and end-of-life care are core skills for all physicians, although in ordinary times many anesthesiologists have fewer occasions to use these skills. The current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused significant mortality over a short time and has necessitated an increase in provision of both critical care and palliative care. For anesthesiologists deployed to units caring for patients with COVID-19, this narrative review provides guidance on conducting goals of care discussions, withdrawing life-sustaining measures, and managing distressing symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Mottiar
- Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, 501 Smyth Rd, Room 1401, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada.
| | - Ariel Hendin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Critical Care, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lisa Fischer
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Amanda Roze des Ordons
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Division of Palliative Medicine, Foothills Medical Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Michael Hartwick
- Division of Critical Care, Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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13
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Oliver L. Providing end-of-life care in a Nightingale hospital. Br J Nurs 2020; 29:1044-1045. [PMID: 32972231 DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2020.29.17.1044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Lauren Oliver, formerly Clinical Nurse Advisor, NHS Nightingale North West, outlines the challenges faced by staff in providing good-quality end-of-life care for patients in a temporary hospital during the initial peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Oliver
- Formerly Clinical Nurse Advisor, NHS Nightingale North West
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14
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Armstrong MJ, Alliance S, Corsentino P, Maixner SM, Paulson HL, Taylor A. Caregiver-Reported Barriers to Quality End-of-Life Care in Dementia With Lewy Bodies: A Qualitative Analysis. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2020; 37:728-737. [PMID: 31902223 PMCID: PMC7335680 DOI: 10.1177/1049909119897241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated barriers to quality end-of-life (EOL) care in the context of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), one of the most common degenerative dementias in the United States. METHODS The study consisted of telephone interviews with caregivers and family members of individuals who died with DLB in the last 5 years. Interviews used a semi-structured questionnaire. Investigators employed a qualitative descriptive approach to analyze interview transcripts and identify common barriers to quality EOL care. RESULTS Thirty participants completed interviews. Reported barriers to quality EOL experiences in DLB pertained to the DLB diagnosis itself and factors relating to the US health-care system, facilities, hospice, and health-care providers (physicians and staff). Commonly reported barriers included lack of recognition and knowledge of DLB, lack of education regarding what to expect, poor coordination of care and communication across health-care teams and circumstances, and difficulty accessing health-care resources including skilled nursing facility placement and hospice. CONCLUSION Many identified themes were consistent with published barriers to quality EOL care in dementia. However, DLB-specific EOL considerations included diagnostic challenges, lack of knowledge regarding DLB and resultant prescribing errors, difficulty accessing resources due to behavioral changes in DLB, and waiting to meet Medicare dementia hospice guidelines. Improving EOL experiences in DLB will require a multifaceted approach, starting with improving DLB recognition and provider knowledge. More research is needed to improve recognition of EOL in DLB and factors that drive quality EOL experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J. Armstrong
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Slande Alliance
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
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15
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Ong KJ, Lim MYY, Chng JXR, Wong YP, Koh LH. Collateral Damage: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Affected the Dying Process of Palliative Care Patients in Hospitals-Our Experience and Recommendations. Ann Acad Med Singap 2020; 49:616-620. [PMID: 33164036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- King Jane Ong
- Palliative Care Service, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
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16
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Moss HA, Wu J, Kaplan SJ, Zafar SY. The Affordable Care Act's Medicaid Expansion and Impact Along the Cancer-Care Continuum: A Systematic Review. J Natl Cancer Inst 2020; 112:779-791. [PMID: 32277814 PMCID: PMC7825479 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djaa043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health reform and the merits of Medicaid expansion remain at the top of the legislative agenda, with growing evidence suggesting an impact on cancer care and outcomes. A systematic review was undertaken to assess the association between Medicaid expansion and the goals of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in the context of cancer care. The purpose of this article is to summarize the currently published literature and to determine the effects of Medicaid expansion on outcomes during points along the cancer care continuum. METHODS A systematic search for relevant studies was performed in the PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases. Three independent observers used an abstraction form to code outcomes and perform a quality and risk of bias assessment using predefined criteria. RESULTS A total of 48 studies were identified. The most common outcomes assessed were the impact of Medicaid expansion on insurance coverage (23.4% of studies), followed by evaluation of racial and/or socioeconomic disparities (17.4%) and access to screening (14.5%). Medicaid expansion was associated with increases in coverage for cancer patients and survivors as well as reduced racial- and income-related disparities. CONCLUSIONS Medicaid expansion has led to improved access to insurance coverage among cancer patients and survivors, particularly among low-income and minority populations. This review highlights important gaps in the existing oncology literature, including a lack of studies evaluating changes in treatment and access to end-of-life care following implementation of expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jenny Wu
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham NC, USA
| | | | - S Yousuf Zafar
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Durham, NC, USA
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Barwise A, Balls-Berry J, Soleimani J, Karki B, Barrett B, Castillo K, Kreps S, Kunkel H, Vega B, Erwin P, Espinoza Suarez N, Wilson ME. Interventions for End of Life Decision Making for Patients with Limited English Proficiency. J Immigr Minor Health 2020; 22:860-872. [PMID: 31749066 PMCID: PMC7706216 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-019-00947-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) experience disparities in end-of-life decision making and advance care planning. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review to assess the literature about interventions addressing these issues. Our search strategy was built around end-of-life (EOL), LEP, ACP, and goals of care. The databases included Ovid MEDLINE(R), and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Daily from 1946 to November 9, 2018, Ovid EMBASE. Eight studies from the US and Australia were included (seven studies in Spanish and one study in Greek and Italian). Interventions used trained personnel, video images, web-based programs, and written materials. Interventions were associated with increased advance directive completion and decreased preferences for some life-prolonging treatments. Interventions were deemed to be feasible and acceptable. Few interventions exist to improve end-of-life care for patients with LEP. Data are limited regarding intervention effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Barwise
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
| | - Joyce Balls-Berry
- Office for Community Engagement in Research, Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Division of Epidemiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jalal Soleimani
- Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Bibek Karki
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | | | | | - Samantha Kreps
- Health Sciences, University of Minnesota, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Hilary Kunkel
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Beatriz Vega
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Patricia Erwin
- Department of Education Administration, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Michael E Wilson
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
- Knowledge Evaluation Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Yoshimura M, Saiki T, Imafuku R, Fujisaki K, Suzuki Y. Experiential learning of overnight home care by medical trainees for professional development: an exploratory study. Int J Med Educ 2020; 11:146-154. [PMID: 32712596 PMCID: PMC7870453 DOI: 10.5116/ijme.5f01.c78f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In an ageing society, community-based medical education in a home care setting needs to be developed. Drawing on Kolb's experiential learning theory, this study aimed to explore the learning processes in overnight home care by medical trainees in terms of their understanding of terminally ill patients and their conceptualization of themselves as future physicians. METHODS An overnight home care program in which a trainee had to take care of terminally ill patients on his/her own under the supervision of a healthcare team was conducted. Nineteen trainees, including eight medical students and 11 residents, participated in this study. Text data of reflective reports written after the overnight care were collected and thematically analyzed. RESULTS The trainees' learning experiences in the program were categorized into four stages: predeparture, concrete experience, reflective observation and abstract conceptualization. Although they had mixed feelings, including anxiety, fear and expectations, at the predeparture stage, they could be actively involved in providing medical care and daily life support and in taking care of dying patients at the patients' homes overnight. By reflecting on their experiences, they gained a sense of achievement and identified the aspects upon which they should improve as future physicians. Subsequently, based on their reflective observation, they conceptualized their approaches to home care and the roles/responsibilities of physicians as healers, which led to professional identity formation. CONCLUSIONS Overnight home care by medical trainees has the potential as an educational strategy to promote their realistic understanding of home care and facilitate professional identity formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Yoshimura
- Medical Education Development Center, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Takuya Saiki
- Medical Education Development Center, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Rintaro Imafuku
- Medical Education Development Center, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | | | - Yasuyuki Suzuki
- Medical Education Development Center, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
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Abstract
Ethicists and physicians all over the world have been working on triage protocols to plan for the possibility that the Covid‐19 pandemic will result in shortages of intensive care unit beds, ventilators, blood products, or medications. In reflecting on those protocols, many health care workers have noticed that, outside the pandemic shortage situation, we routinely supply patients in the ICU with invasive and painful care that will not help the patients survive even their hospitalization. This is the kind of pointless care that even the most basic protocol would triage against. Perhaps this widespread reflection on triage standards will draw our attention to our ongoing custom of supplying burdensome and inefficacious care to those near the end of life—care that most health care providers would not want for themselves. This essay argues that reflecting on triage could help us improve end‐of‐life care.
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Poi CH, Koh MY, Neo HY, Hum AY. Palliative Care in a COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU): Challenges and Recommendations for Palliative Care Teams in a Pandemic ICU. Ann Acad Med Singap 2020; 49:517-522. [PMID: 33000118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Choo Hwee Poi
- Palliative Medicine Department, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore and Palliative Care Centre for Excellence in Research and Education, Singapore
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21
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Csikai EL. Editor's Introduction. J Soc Work End Life Palliat Care 2020; 16:199-200. [PMID: 32941120 DOI: 10.1080/15524256.2020.1819082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
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Abstract
Patients with frailty experience substantial physical and emotional distress related to their condition and face increased morbidity and mortality compared with their nonfrail peers. Palliative care is an interdisciplinary medical specialty focused on improving quality of life for patients with serious illness, including those with frailty, throughout their disease course. Anesthesiology providers will frequently encounter frail patients in the perioperative period and in the intensive care unit (ICU) and can contribute to improving the quality of life for these patients through the provision of palliative care. We highlight the opportunities to incorporate primary palliative care, including basic symptom management and straightforward goals-of-care discussions, provided by the primary clinicians, and when necessary, timely consultation by a specialty palliative care team to assist with complex symptom management and goals-of-care discussions in the face of team and/or family conflict. In this review, we apply the principles of palliative care to patients with frailty and synthesize the evidence regarding methods to integrate palliative care into the perioperative and ICU settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita C. Crooms
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Laura P. Gelfman
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
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Abstract
In recent months, Covid-19 has devastated African American communities across the nation, and a Minneapolis police officer murdered George Floyd. The agents of death may be novel, but the phenomena of long-standing epidemics of premature black death and of police violence are not. This essay argues that racial health and health care disparities, rooted as they are in systemic injustice, ought to carry far more weight in clinical ethics than they generally do. In particular, this essay examines palliative and end-of-life care for African Americans, highlighting the ways in which American medicine, like American society, has breached trust. In the experience of many African American patients struggling against terminal illness, health care providers have denied them a say in their own medical decision-making. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, African Americans have once again been denied a say with regard to the rationing of scarce medical resources such as ventilators, in that dominant and ostensibly race-neutral algorithms sacrifice black lives. Is there such thing as a "good" or "dignified" death when African Americans are dying not merely of Covid-19 but of structural racism?
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Yash Pal R, Kuan WS, Tiah L, Kumar R, Wong YKY, Shi L, Zheng CQ, Lin J, Liang S, Segara UC, Yong WC, Chan NGC, Chua MT, Ibrahim I. End-of-life management protocol offered within emergency room (EMPOWER): study protocol for a multicentre study. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e036598. [PMID: 32350018 PMCID: PMC7213875 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients at their end-of-life (EOL) phase frequently visit the emergency department (ED) due to their symptoms, yet the environment and physicians in ED are not traditionally equipped or trained to provide palliative care. This multicentre study aims to measure the current quality of EOL care in ED to identify gaps, formulate improvements and implement the improved EOL care protocol. We shall also evaluate healthcare resource utilisation and its associated costs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This study employs a quasiexperimental interrupted time series design using both qualitative and quantitative methods, involving the EDs of three tertiary hospitals in Singapore, over a period of 3 years. There are five phases in this study: (1) retrospective chart reviews of patients who died within 5 days of ED attendance; (2) pilot phase to validate the CODE questionnaire in the local context; (3) preimplementation phase; (4) focus group discussions (FGDs); and (5) postimplementation phase. In the prospective cohort, patients who are actively dying or have high likelihood of mortality this admission, and whose goal of care is palliation, will be eligible for inclusion. At least 140 patients will be recruited for each preimplementation and postimplementation phase. There will be face-to-face interviews with patients' family members, review of medical records and self-administered staff survey to evaluate existing knowledge and confidence. The FGDs will involve hospital and community healthcare providers. Data obtained from the retrospective cohort, preimplementation phase and FGDs will be used to guide prospective improvement and protocol changes. Patient, family and staff relevant outcomes from these changes will be measured using time series regression. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study protocol has been reviewed and ethics approval obtained from the National Healthcare Group Domain Specific Review Board, Singapore. The results from this study will be actively disseminated through manuscript publications and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03906747.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakhee Yash Pal
- Emergency Medicine Department, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Win Sen Kuan
- Emergency Medicine Department, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ling Tiah
- Accident & Emergency Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Ranjeev Kumar
- Acute and Emergency Care Centre, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Luming Shi
- Singapore Clinical Research Institute, Singapore
| | | | - Jingping Lin
- Emergency Medicine Department, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Sufang Liang
- Emergency Medicine Department, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Uma Chandra Segara
- Emergency Medicine Department, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Woon Chai Yong
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Palliative Care, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
| | - Noreen Guek Cheng Chan
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Palliative Care, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
| | - Mui Teng Chua
- Emergency Medicine Department, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Irwani Ibrahim
- Emergency Medicine Department, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Abstract
The loss of a family member or friend can have profound psychological and physical implications, particularly for individuals without bereavement support services. Online support groups can be an effective means of extending services beyond the traditional modes of delivery. This is especially true for populations that include isolated individuals and those with limited support networks, limited transportation, challenging time commitments, or reside in communities with limited services available. The literature over the last 10 years was reviewed to discern the potential opportunities and challenges of providing online bereavement support group services. Discussed are challenges for recruitment of participants, availability of technology resources, addressing privacy and confidentiality issues, participants' knowledge of technical equipment, legal considerations, ethical considerations, accessibility, and other best practices. Diverse populations such as adolescents, older adults, and rural communities must be uniquely considered when using online support groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Gibson
- Social Work, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Stephanie P Wladkowski
- Social Work, Eastern Michigan University, School of Social Work, Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA
| | - Cara L Wallace
- Social Work, Saint Louis University, College for Public, Health and Social Justice, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Keith A Anderson
- Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work, Arlington, Texas, USA
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26
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Csikai EL. Editor Introduction. J Soc Work End Life Palliat Care 2020; 16:77-78. [PMID: 32567538 DOI: 10.1080/15524256.2020.1778974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
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27
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Cincotte N, Supiano K. Guest Editors' Introduction. J Soc Work End Life Palliat Care 2020; 16:79-80. [PMID: 32567539 DOI: 10.1080/15524256.2020.1778981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
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28
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Rusch R, Greenman J, Scanlon C, Horne K, Jonas DF. Bibliotherapy and Bereavement: Harnessing the Power of Reading to Enhance Family Coping in Pediatric Palliative Care. J Soc Work End Life Palliat Care 2020; 16:85-98. [PMID: 32233977 DOI: 10.1080/15524256.2020.1745728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Bibliotherapy is a therapeutic intervention that could potentially be utilized by pediatric palliative care social workers to aid in providing individualized support and adaptive coping techniques through end-of-life and bereavement. Multiple modalities of implementing bibliotherapy are considered, including applications in individual and group counseling. An institutionally supported bibliotherapy program that aims to provide therapeutic and recreational texts for patients, families and clinicians is described. Suggested guidelines and book titles for use in practice with bereaved siblings and families are provided alongside targeted description for use in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Rusch
- Division of Comfort and Palliative Care, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jennifer Greenman
- Division of Comfort and Palliative Care, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Caitlin Scanlon
- Palliative Care Team, Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, California, USA
| | - Kyle Horne
- Literally Healing, Expressive Arts and Therapies, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Danielle Faye Jonas
- Doctoral Program, Silver School of Social Work, New York University, New York, New York, USA
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Pocock L, French L, Farr M, Morris R, Purdy S. Impact of electronic palliative care coordination systems (EPaCCS) on care at the end of life across multiple care sectors, in one clinical commissioning group area, in England: a realist evaluation protocol. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e031153. [PMID: 32234738 PMCID: PMC7170566 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Electronic palliative care coordination systems (EPaCCS) aim to support people approaching the end of life (EOL) to receive consistent care, according to their wishes, that is coordinated effectively across multiple care sectors. They are in use across the UK although empirical evidence into their effectiveness is poor. This paper presents a protocol of a mixed-methods study, to understand how, and by whom, EPaCCS are being used and whether EPaCCS are enabling Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) to coordinate patients' EOL care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This is a mixed-methods study, carried out within a realist paradigm, to evaluate the impact of an EPaCCS on EOL care as provided by a Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in England. This study has two aims: (1) Describe the socio-demographic characteristics of patients who die with an EPaCCS record, their underlying cause of death and place of death and compare these with patients who die without an EPaCCS record. (2) Explore the impact of an EPaCCS on the experience of receiving EOL care for patients and their carers, and understand HCPs' views and experiences of utilising an EPaCCS to coordinate care for their patients. The study will be conducted in five phases: (1) development of the initial programme theory; (2) focus group with CCG stakeholder board; (3) individual interviews with HCPs, patients, current and bereaved carers; (4) retrospective cohort study of routinely collected data on EPaCCS usage and (5) data analysis and synthesis of study findings. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study has been approved by National Health Service South West-Frenchay Research Ethics Committee (REC reference number: 18/SW/0198). Findings will be published in a wide range of outputs targeted at key audiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Pocock
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Lydia French
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Richard Morris
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Sarah Purdy
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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El-Jawahri A, Nelson AM, Gray TF, Lee SJ, LeBlanc TW. Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Patients With Hematologic Malignancies. J Clin Oncol 2020; 38:944-953. [PMID: 32023164 PMCID: PMC8462532 DOI: 10.1200/jco.18.02386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematologic malignancies are a heterogeneous group of diseases with unique illness trajectories, treatment paradigms, and potential for curability, which affect patients' palliative and end-of-life care needs. Patients with hematologic malignancies endure immense physical and psychological symptoms because of both their illness and often intensive treatments that result in significant toxicities and adverse effects. Compared with patients with solid tumors, those with hematologic malignancies also experience high rates of hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions, and in-hospital deaths and low rates of referral to hospice as well as shorter hospice length of stay. In addition, patients with hematologic malignancies harbor substantial misperceptions about treatment risks and benefits and frequently overestimate their prognosis. Even survivors of hematologic malignancies struggle with late effects, post-treatment complications, and post-traumatic stress symptoms that can significantly diminish their quality of life. Despite these substantial unmet needs, specialty palliative care services are infrequently consulted for the care of patients with hematologic malignancies. Several illness-specific, cultural, and system-based barriers to palliative care integration and optimal end-of-life care exist in this population. However, recent evidence has demonstrated the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of integrating palliative care to improve the quality of life and care of patients with hematologic malignancies and their caregivers. More research is needed to develop and test population-specific palliative and supportive care interventions to ensure generalizability and to define a sustainable clinical delivery model. Future work also should focus on identifying moderators and mediators of the effect of integrated palliative care models on patient-reported outcomes and on developing less resource-intensive integrated care models to address the diverse needs of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Areej El-Jawahri
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Ashley M. Nelson
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Tamryn F. Gray
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
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Manz CR, Parikh RB, Evans CN, Chivers C, Regli SH, Bekelman JE, Small D, Rareshide CAL, O'Connor N, Schuchter LM, Shulman LN, Patel MS. Integrating machine-generated mortality estimates and behavioral nudges to promote serious illness conversations for cancer patients: Design and methods for a stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials 2020; 90:105951. [PMID: 31982648 PMCID: PMC7910008 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2020.105951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with cancer often receive care that is not aligned with their personal values and goals. Serious illness conversations (SICs) between clinicians and patients can help increase a patient's understanding of their prognosis, goals and values. METHODS AND ANALYSIS In this study, we describe the design of a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial to evaluate the impact of an intervention that employs machine learning-based prognostic algorithms and behavioral nudges to prompt oncologists to have SICs with patients at high risk of short-term mortality. Data are collected on documented SICs, documented advance care planning discussions, and end-of-life care utilization (emergency room and inpatient admissions, chemotherapy and hospice utilization) for patients of all enrolled clinicians. CONCLUSION This trial represents a novel application of machine-generated mortality predictions combined with behavioral nudges in the routine care of outpatients with cancer. Findings from the trial may inform strategies to encourage early serious illness conversations and the application of mortality risk predictions in clinical settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03984773.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Manz
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America; Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America.
| | - Ravi B Parikh
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America; Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Chalanda N Evans
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Corey Chivers
- University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Susan H Regli
- University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Justin E Bekelman
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America; Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Dylan Small
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | | | - Nina O'Connor
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Lynn M Schuchter
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Lawrence N Shulman
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Mitesh S Patel
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America; Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
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Merlane H, Booth Z. Discharge planning in end-of-life care. Br J Nurs 2020; 29:202-203. [PMID: 32105530 DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2020.29.4.202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Helen Merlane
- Senior Lecturer, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne
| | - Zoe Booth
- Palliative Care Nurse Specialist, Royal Victoria Infirmary, The Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Vanneste J. [Cystic fibrosis, support and end of life of patients]. Rev Infirm 2020; 69:27-28. [PMID: 32146961 DOI: 10.1016/j.revinf.2019.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis is a chronic disease detected at birth that requires multidisciplinary follow-up throughout life. Two singular stories guide us in the reflection on end-of-life care. Firstly, it is a painful stage when it comes to giving up lung transplantation. The care receiver also wants continuity of care in line with his or her philosophy of life. The partnership of the caregivers with the ethical space and/or palliative care of the hospital becomes a necessary third party for a more peaceful end of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanne Vanneste
- CRCM pédiatrie et CRCM pneumologie adulte de Lille, 2, avenue Oscar-Lambert, 59037 Lille cedex, France.
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Kruser JM, Aaby DA, Stevenson DG, Pun BT, Balas MC, Barnes-Daly MA, Harmon L, Ely EW. Assessment of Variability in End-of-Life Care Delivery in Intensive Care Units in the United States. JAMA Netw Open 2019; 2:e1917344. [PMID: 31825508 PMCID: PMC6991207 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.17344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Overall, 1 of 5 decedents in the United States is admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) before death. OBJECTIVE To describe structures, processes, and variability of end-of-life care delivered in ICUs in the United States. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This nationwide cohort study used data on 16 945 adults who were cared for in ICUs that participated in the 68-unit ICU Liberation Collaborative quality improvement project from January 2015 through April 2017. Data were analyzed between August 2018 and June 2019. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Published quality measures and end-of-life events, organized by key domains of end-of-life care in the ICU. RESULTS Of 16 945 eligible patients in the collaborative, 1536 (9.1%) died during their initial ICU stay. Of decedents, 654 (42.6%) were women, 1037 (67.5%) were 60 years or older, and 1088 (70.8%) were identified as white individuals. Wide unit-level variation in end-of-life care delivery was found. For example, the median unit-stratified rate of cardiopulmonary resuscitation avoidance in the last hour of life was 89.5% (interquartile range, 83.3%-96.1%; range, 50.0%-100%). Median rates of patients who were pain free and delirium free in last 24 hours of life were 75.1% (interquartile range, 66.0%-85.7%; range, 0-100%) and 60.0% (interquartile range, 43.7%-85.2%; range, 9.1%-100%), respectively. Ascertainment of an advance directive was associated with lower odds of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the last hour of life (odds ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.49-0.99; P = .04), and a documented offer or delivery of spiritual support was associated with higher odds of family presence at the time of death (odds ratio, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.37-2.77; P < .001). Death in a unit with an open visitation policy was associated with higher odds of pain in the last 24 hours of life (odds ratio, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.15-4.27; P = .02). Unsupervised cluster analysis revealed 3 mutually exclusive unit-level patterns of end-of-life care delivery among 63 ICUs with complete data. Cluster 1 units (14 units [22.2%]) had the lowest rate of cardiopulmonary resuscitation avoidance but achieved the highest pain-free rate. Cluster 2 (25 units [39.7%]) had the lowest delirium-free rate but achieved high rates of all other end-of-life events. Cluster 3 (24 units [38.1%]) achieved high rates across all favorable end-of-life events. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study, end-of-life care delivery varied substantially among ICUs in the United States, and the patterns of care observed suggest that units can be characterized as higher and lower performing. To achieve optimal care for patients who die in an ICU, future research should target unit-level variation and disseminate the successes of higher-performing units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline M. Kruser
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - David A. Aaby
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - David G. Stevenson
- Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Brenda T. Pun
- Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | | | - Lori Harmon
- Society of Critical Care Medicine, Mount Prospect, Illinois
| | - E. Wesley Ely
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee
- Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
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Best M, McArdle MB, Huang YJ, Clayton J, Butow P. How and how much is spirituality discussed in palliative care consultations for advanced cancer patients with and without a question prompt list? Patient Educ Couns 2019; 102:2208-2213. [PMID: 31235394 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2019.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients want to discuss spirituality more with their doctors but feel disempowered. Question prompt lists (QPLs) assist conversations. This study assessed the impact of a QPL on spirituality discussions in Palliative Care (PC). METHODS This was a sub-study of a trial in which PC patients were randomised to either receive a QPL prior to a consultation or not, to see whether its provision influenced advanced cancer patients'/caregivers' questions and discussion of topics relevant to end-of-life care during consultations with a PC physician. Consultations were recorded and transcribed. Transcriptions were analysed to examine the frequency and content of spirituality discussions. We conducted logistic regression to investigate the impact of the QPL and other predictors. RESULTS 174 patients participated. Spirituality was discussed in half the consultations. Patients receiving a QPL discussed spirituality 1.38 times more than controls. This finding did not reach statistical significance. First PC consultation and being asked about their concerns by the doctor were significant predictors of a spiritual discussion. CONCLUSION Patients are more likely to discuss spirituality in their first PC consultation, and when their doctor asks them about their concerns. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Doctors caring for patients at the end of life should routinely raise spiritual issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Best
- Psycho-Oncology Collaborative Research Group (PoCOG), University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | | | - Yi-Jing Huang
- Psycho-Oncology Collaborative Research Group (PoCOG), University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Josephine Clayton
- Psycho-Oncology Collaborative Research Group (PoCOG), University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Learning & Research in Palliative Care, Greenwich Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Phyllis Butow
- Psycho-Oncology Collaborative Research Group (PoCOG), University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate timely access to palliative medicines/drugs (PMs) from community pharmacies to inform palliative care service delivery. DESIGN Mixed methods in two sequential phases: (1) prospective audit of prescriptions and concurrent survey of patients/representatives collecting PMs from pharmacy and (2) interviews with community pharmacists (CPs) and other healthcare professionals (HCPs). SETTING Five community pharmacies in Sheffield, UK and HCPs that deliver palliative care in that community. PARTICIPANTS Phase 1: five CPs: two providing access to PMs within a locally commissioned service (LCS) and three not in the LCS; 55 patients/representatives who completed the survey when accessing PMs and phase 2: 16 HCPs, including five phase 1 CPs, were interviewed. RESULTS The prescription audit collected information on 75 prescriptions (75 patients) with 271 individual PMs; 55 patients/representatives (73%) completed the survey. Patients/representatives reported 73% of PMs were needed urgently. In 80% of cases, patients/representatives received all PMs on the first pharmacy visit. One in five had to travel to more than one pharmacy to access PMs. The range of PMs stocked by pharmacies was the key facilitating factor. CPs reported practical issues causing difficulty keeping PMs in stock and playing a reactive role with palliative prescriptions. Confidentiality concerns were cited by other HCPs who were reluctant to share key patient information proactively with pharmacy teams. Inadequate information transfer, lack of CP integration into the care of palliative patients and poor HCP knowledge of which pharmacies stock PMs meant patients and their families were not always able to access PMs promptly. CONCLUSIONS Consistent routine information transfer and integration of pharmacy teams in the care of palliative patients are needed to achieve timely access to PMs. Commissioners of PM access schemes should review and monitor access. HCPs need to be routinely made aware and reminded about the service and its locations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julie D Morgan
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Bradford Faculty of Life Sciences, Bradford, UK
| | - Alison Blenkinsopp
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Bradford Faculty of Life Sciences, Bradford, UK
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Jaime-Pérez JC, Turrubiates-Hernández GA, Nava-Obregón T, Coronado-Hernández B, Gutiérrez-Aguirre H, Cantú-Rodríguez OG, Herrera-Garza JL, Gómez-Almaguer D. Palliative Care for Patients With Hematologic Malignancies in a Low-Middle Income Country: Prevalence of Symptoms and the Need for Improving Quality of Attention at the End of Life. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2019; 37:600-605. [PMID: 31714147 DOI: 10.1177/1049909119887951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative care (PC) for patients with malignant hematological diseases is scarcely documented, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to document PC provided to patients with hematologic malignancies. METHODS Bidirectional study conducted from July 2016 to June 2019 at the hematology and palliative care departments at a reference center in Northeast Mexico for low-income open population uninsured patients. Clinical records and electronic files of patients with malignant hematological diseases of both sexes and all ages attending an academic hematology center were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS version 22 program. Acute and chronic leukemias, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and others were included. RESULTS Five-hundred ten patients were studied, of which 148 (29%) died. Eighty-one (15.88%) patients including 31 (20.9%) who died received PC. Median age at palliative diagnosis was 42 (2-91) years. The most common symptom was pain (69.7%). The most frequent reason for palliative referral was treatment-refractory disease (39%). During the last week of life, 19 (95%) of 20 patients had blood sampling; 17 (85%) received antibiotics; 16 (80%) had a urinalysis performed; 16 (80%) received analgesia, including paracetamol (11, 35.5%) and buprenorphine (7, 22.6%); 10 (50%) received blood products; 9 (45%) were intubated; and central venous catheters were inserted in 5 (25%) patients. CONCLUSIONS Palliative care was provided to a minority of patients with hematologic malignancies and considerable improvement is required in its timely use and extension.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Carlos Jaime-Pérez
- Department of Hematology, Dr. José Eleuterio González University Hospital, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Grecia Abigayl Turrubiates-Hernández
- Department of Hematology, Dr. José Eleuterio González University Hospital, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Teresa Nava-Obregón
- Department of Pain and Palliative Care Clinic, Dr. José Eleuterio González University Hospital, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Blanca Coronado-Hernández
- Department of Pain and Palliative Care Clinic, Dr. José Eleuterio González University Hospital, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Homero Gutiérrez-Aguirre
- Department of Hematology, Dr. José Eleuterio González University Hospital, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Olga Graciela Cantú-Rodríguez
- Department of Hematology, Dr. José Eleuterio González University Hospital, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - José Luis Herrera-Garza
- Department of Hematology, Dr. José Eleuterio González University Hospital, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - David Gómez-Almaguer
- Department of Hematology, Dr. José Eleuterio González University Hospital, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
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Santos Suárez J, Del Valle Arnáez G. [Home palliative care. Which is the future?]. J Healthc Qual Res 2019; 34:338-339. [PMID: 31740373 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhqr.2019.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J Santos Suárez
- Equipo de Apoyo de Cuidados Paliativos, Servicio de Salud del Principado de Asturias (SESPA), Oviedo, Asturias, España.
| | - G Del Valle Arnáez
- Equipo de Apoyo de Cuidados Paliativos, Servicio de Salud del Principado de Asturias (SESPA), Oviedo, Asturias, España
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Ufere NN, O'Riordan DL, Bischoff KE, Marks AK, Eneanya N, Chung RT, Jackson V, Pantilat SZ, El-Jawahri A. Outcomes of Palliative Care Consultations for Hospitalized Patients With Liver Disease. J Pain Symptom Manage 2019; 58:766-773. [PMID: 31326503 PMCID: PMC6823143 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Although palliative care (PC) has been shown to improve symptoms and end-of-life (EOL) care for patients with cancer, data are lacking on the patterns of use and outcomes of PC consultations for hospitalized patients with liver disease. OBJECTIVES We sought to characterize the patterns of use and outcomes of PC consultations for hospitalized patients with liver disease compared with patients with cancer. METHODS We conducted an observational study using data from the Palliative Care Quality Network (PCQN). The PCQN contains prospectively collected data on 135,197 hospitalized patients receiving PC consultations at 88 PCQN sites between January 2013 and December 2017. The PCQN data set includes patient demographics, processes of care, and patient-level clinical outcomes. RESULTS The cohort included 44,933 patients, of whom 4402 (9.8%) had liver disease and 40,531 (90.2%) had cancer. Patients with liver disease were younger (58.9 years vs. 65.2 years, P < 0.0001) and had higher in-hospital mortality (28% vs. 16.8%, P < 0.0001). Patients with liver disease were more likely to receive PC consultations to address goals of care (81.7% vs. 67.9%, P < 0.0001) as opposed to pain management (10.9% vs. 34.9%, P < 0.0001). Both groups had similar rates of symptom improvement and change in resuscitation preferences after PC consultation. CONCLUSION Hospitalized patients with liver disease were more likely to have a PC referral to address goals of care compared with those with cancer and were more likely to die in the hospital. Despite late PC consultations, patients with liver disease experienced improvement in symptoms and clarification of their goals of care, similar to those with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nneka N Ufere
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - David L O'Riordan
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kara E Bischoff
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Angela K Marks
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Nwamaka Eneanya
- Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Raymond T Chung
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vicki Jackson
- Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Steven Z Pantilat
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Areej El-Jawahri
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Fortney CA. Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Infants and Their Families in the NICU: Building a Program of Research. J Pediatr Nurs 2019; 49:104-105. [PMID: 31668673 PMCID: PMC6942219 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2019.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This article is a brief report on the building of a program of research to support palliative and end-of-life care for infants and their families in the neonatal intensive care unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A Fortney
- Martha S. Pitzer Center for Women, Children and Youth, College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America; Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States of America.
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Abstract
To date, few studies have examined the end-of-life (EOL) care for patients with hematological malignancies (HMs). We evaluated the effects of palliative care on the quality of EOL care and health care costs for adult patients with HMs in the final month of life.We conducted a population-based study and analyzed data from Taiwan's Longitudinal Health Insurance Database, which contains claims information for patient medical records, health care costs, and insurance system exit dates (our proxy for death) between 2000 and 2011.A total of 724 adult patients who died of HMs were investigated. Of these patients, 43 (5.9%) had received only inpatient palliative care (i-Pal group), and 19 (2.6%) received home palliative care (h-Pal group). The mean health care costs during the final month of life were not significantly different between the non-Pal and Pal groups (p=0.315) and between the non-Pal, i-Pal, and h-Pal groups (p=0.293) either. By the multivariate regression model, the i-Pal group had lower risks of chemotherapy, ICU admission, and receipt of CPR, but higher risks of at least two hospitalizations and dying in hospital after adjustments. The h-Pal group had the similar trends as the i-Pal group but lower risk of dying in hospital after adjustments.Patients with HMs who had received palliative care could benefit from less aggressive EOL cancer care in the final month of life. However, 8.6% patients with HMs received palliative care. The related factors of more hospitalizations and dying in hospital warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jui-Kun Chiang
- Department of Family Medicine, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi
| | | | - Yee-Hsin Kao
- Department of Family Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital (Managed by Show Chwan Medical Care Corporation), Tainan, Taiwan
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Witham G, Galvani S, Peacock M. End of life care for people with alcohol and drug problems: Findings from a Rapid Evidence Assessment. Health Soc Care Community 2019; 27:e637-e650. [PMID: 31293028 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
People who use alcohol and other drugs(hereafter "substances") and who are over the age of 40 are now more likely to die of a non-drug related cause than people who use substances under the age of 40. This population will therefore potentially need greater access to palliative and end of life care services. Initially, the purpose of this rapid evidence assessment (REA), conducted August 2016-August 2017, was to explore the peer-reviewed evidence base in relation to end of life care for people with problematic substance use. The following databases were searched using date parameters of 1 January 2004-1 August 2016: Amed, Psycharticles, Ovid, Ageinfo, Medline, Ebscohost, ASSIA, Social Care Online, Web of Knowledge, Web of Science, SSCI, Samsha, NIAAA. Data were extracted using a predefined protocol incorporating inclusion and exclusion criteria. Given the dearth of evidence emerging on interventions and practice responses to problematic substance use, the inclusion criteria were broadened to include any peer-reviewed literature focussing on substance use specifically and end of life care. There were 60 papers that met the inclusion criteria. These were quality assessed. Using a textual thematic approach to categorise findings, papers fell into three broad groups (a) pain management, (b) homeless and marginalised groups, and (c) alcohol-related papers. In general, this small and diverse literature lacked depth and quality. The papers suggest there are challenges for health and social care professionals in meeting the end of life needs of people who use substances. Addressing issues like safe prescribing for pain management becomes more challenging in the presence of substance use and requires flexible service provision from both alcohol/drug services and end of life care providers. Work is needed to develop models of good practice in working with co-existing substance use and end of life conditions as well as prevalence studies to provide a wider context for policy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Witham
- Department of Nursing, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Sarah Galvani
- Department of Sociology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Marian Peacock
- Faculty of Health & Social Care, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, UK
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Rumpold T, Lütgendorf-Caucig C, Löffler-Stastka H, Roider-Schur S, Pötter R, Kirchheiner K. Attitude Towards End of Life Communication of Austrian Medical Students. J Cancer Educ 2019; 34:743-748. [PMID: 29687186 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-018-1366-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Medical students have to acquire theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and a personal attitude to meet the emerging needs of palliative care. The present study aimed to assess the personal attitude of Austrian medical students towards end of life communication (EOLC), as key part of palliative care. This cross-sectional, mono-institutional assessment invited all medical students at the Medical University of Vienna in 2015. The assessment was conducted web-based via questionnaire about attitudes towards EOLC. Additional socio-demographic and medical education-related parameters were collected. Overall, 743 medical students participated in the present report. Differences regarding the agreement or disagreement to several statements concerning the satisfaction of working with chronically ill patients, palliative care, and health care costs, as well as the extent of information about palliative disease, were found for age, gender, and academic years. The overall attitude towards EOLC in the present sample can be regarded as quite balanced. Nevertheless, a considerable number of medical students are still reluctant to inform patients about their incurable disease. Reservations towards palliative care as part of the health care system seem to exist. The influence of the curriculum as well as practical experiences seems to be important but needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Rumpold
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Straße 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Henriette Löffler-Stastka
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Straße 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sophie Roider-Schur
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Internal Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Straße 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard Pötter
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Straße 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kathrin Kirchheiner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Straße 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
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Webber C, Viola R, Knott C, Peng Y, Groome PA. Community Palliative Care Initiatives to Reduce End-of-Life Hospital Utilization and In-Hospital Deaths: A Population-Based Observational Study Evaluating Two Home Care Interventions. J Pain Symptom Manage 2019; 58:181-189.e1. [PMID: 31022443 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT The end-of-life period is characterized by increased hospital utilization despite patients' preferences to receive care and die at home. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the impact of interventions aimed at planning for a home death (Yellow Folder) and managing symptoms in the home (Symptom Response Kit) on place of death and hospital utilization among palliative home care patients. METHODS This was an ecologic and retrospective cohort study of palliative home care patients in southeastern Ontario from April 2009 to March 2014. Linked health administrative and clinical databases were used to identify palliative home care patients and their receipt of the interventions, hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and place of death. Bivariable and multivariable regressions were used to evaluate outcomes according to patients' receipt of intervention(s). RESULTS The proportion of patients who died in the community increased after implementation of the interventions, from 42.8% to 48.5% (P < 0.0001). Compared with patients who received neither intervention, patients who received the Yellow Folder or Symptom Response Kit had an increased likelihood of dying in the community, with the largest relative risk observed in patients who received both interventions (relative risk = 2.20, 95% confidence interval 2.05-2.36). Receipt of these interventions was only associated with reductions in hospitalization or emergency department visit rates in the six months before death. CONCLUSION Patients who received the Yellow Folder or Symptom Response Kit were more likely remain at home at the end of life. This association was stronger when these interventions were used together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen Webber
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Raymond Viola
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christine Knott
- Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; ICES, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yingwei Peng
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology, Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patti A Groome
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology, Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Vázquez-García D, De-la-Rica-Escuín M, Germán-Bes C, Caballero-Navarro AL. [Healthcare professionals' perceptions and confrontation at patients' end-of-life in emergency departments: A qualitative systematic review]. Rev Esp Salud Publica 2019; 93:e201908051. [PMID: 31363078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergency services are specialized in population's severe illness care. However, the increasing trend of chronic patients which in some cases require of palliative care, has lead to a higher influx of this type of patients in emergency services, thus growing the rate of deaths consequently. How is this fact perceived by the health professionals and which strategies they count on to face patients' death? The aim of this work was to deeply review the perception and the strategies to face patients' death in the end-of-life (EOL) at emergency services. METHODS Systematic review of qualitative studies was made according to PRISMA statements. Research was performed in the following bibliographic databases: Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, VHL Regional portal, Cuiden, COCHRANE LIBRARY and JBI. Inclusion criteria were as follows: Physicians and Nurses with at least one year of working experience as health professionals, Pediatric care excluded. Methodological quality, data extraction and its inclusion process was made in agreement with the tools described in JBI. RESULTS The extracted findings were structured and added in 4 thematic categories: 1) Priority of professional attention according to the causes and origin of patient's death; 2) Environmental barriers in the department hindering attention at the EOL; 3) professionals' emotions dealing with patients' death; 4) Professional strategies dealing with patient' death. CONCLUSIONS Health care professionals (Physicians and nurses) face more efficiently patients' death when is caused by a critic disease than when is caused by chronic/palliative diseases. Environment and the lack of training have been identified as factors that difficult end-of-life attention in emergency services.
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Vasquez D, Deland L, Spears K, Metcalfe L, Frost S, Christensen M. Time is Precious: person-centred end of life care in an emergency department. A quality improvement project. Emerg Nurse 2019; 27:33-42. [PMID: 31468850 DOI: 10.7748/en.2019.e1961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Supporting and managing end of life in emergency departments (EDs) is often difficult and is becoming increasingly commonplace. Patients who present at the end of life are often triaged as low priority as their signs and symptoms are not considered life-threatening and they are often exposed to unnecessary and inappropriate tests and investigations. This results in increased stress and distress for patients and their family and carers in an environment that is not suited to this type of care. There are few specified palliative care pathways that provide the level of care required by these patients. This article describes the Time is Precious (TiP) project, the development of a palliative care decision-making framework to support and address the needs of patients who present to an ED at end of life, in a timely and appropriate manner. It also reports findings of an evaluation of TiP that show patients are identified more quickly and cared for more appropriately as nursing and medical care can be tailored to meet their needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Vasquez
- Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, Bankstown, New South Wales (NSW), Australia
| | | | | | - Lauren Metcalfe
- Western Sydney University Campbelltown Campus, Campbelltown NSW, Australia
| | - Steve Frost
- Centre for Applied Nursing Research, Western Sydney University, Sydney NSW, Australia
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Fritz L, Zwinkels H, Koekkoek JAF, Reijneveld JC, Vos MJ, Dirven L, Pasman HRW, Taphoorn MJB. Advance care planning in glioblastoma patients: development of a disease-specific ACP program. Support Care Cancer 2019; 28:1315-1324. [PMID: 31243585 PMCID: PMC6989589 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-019-04916-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unknown if the implementation of an advance care planning (ACP) program is feasible in daily clinical practice for glioblastoma patients. We aimed to develop an ACP program and assess the preferred content, the best time to introduce such a program in the disease trajectory, and possible barriers and facilitators for participation and implementation. METHODS A focus group with health care professionals (HCPs) and individual semi-structured interviews with patients and proxies (of both living and deceased patients) were conducted. RESULTS All predefined topics were considered relevant by participants, including the current situation, worries/fears, (supportive) treatment options, and preferred place of care/death. Although HCPs and proxies of deceased patients indicated that the program should be implemented relatively early in the disease trajectory, patient-proxy dyads were more ambiguous. Several patient-proxy dyads indicated that the program should be initiated later in the disease trajectory. If introduced early, topics about the end of life should be postponed. A frequently mentioned barrier for participation was that the program would be too confronting, while a facilitator was adequate access to information. CONCLUSION This study resulted in an ACP program specifically for glioblastoma patients. Although participants agreed on the program content, the optimal timing of introducing such a program was a matter of debate. Our solution is to offer the program shortly after diagnosis but let patients and proxies decide which topics they want to discuss and when. The impact of the program on several patient- and care-related outcomes will be evaluated in the next step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Fritz
- Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, PO BOX 2191, 2501, VC, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Hanneke Zwinkels
- Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, PO BOX 2191, 2501, VC, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Johan A F Koekkoek
- Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, PO BOX 2191, 2501, VC, The Hague, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap C Reijneveld
- Department of Neurology and Brain Tumor Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (location VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (location Academic Medical Center), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike J Vos
- Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, PO BOX 2191, 2501, VC, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Linda Dirven
- Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, PO BOX 2191, 2501, VC, The Hague, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - H Roeline W Pasman
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Expertise Center for Palliative care Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martin J B Taphoorn
- Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, PO BOX 2191, 2501, VC, The Hague, The Netherlands.
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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48
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Wright AC, Shaw JC. The spectrum of end of life care: an argument for access to medical assistance in dying for vulnerable populations. Med Health Care Philos 2019; 22:211-219. [PMID: 30099667 DOI: 10.1007/s11019-018-9860-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Medical assistance in dying (MAiD) was legalized by the Supreme Court of Canada in June 2016 and became a legal, viable end of life care (EOLC) option for Canadians with irremediable illness and suffering. Much attention has been paid to the balance between physicians' willingness to provide MAiD and patients' legal right to request medically assisted death in certain circumstances. In contrast, very little attention has been paid to the challenge of making MAiD accessible to vulnerable populations. The purpose of this paper was to examine the extant literature and resources that are available on the provision of MAiD in Canada. We found that the provision of EOLC in Canada offers insufficient access to palliative and EOLC options for Canadians and that vulnerable Canadians experience disproportional barriers to accessing these already limited resources. Consequently, we argue that palliative care, hospice care and MAiD must be considered a spectrum of EOLC that is inclusive and accessible to all Canadians. We conclude by imploring Canadian healthcare professionals, policy makers and legislators to consider MAiD as a viable EOLC option for all Canadians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alysia C Wright
- Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
| | - Jessica C Shaw
- Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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Flint R, Buchanan D, Jamieson S, Cuschieri A, Botros S, Forbes J, George J. The Safer Prescription of Opioids Tool (SPOT): A Novel Clinical Decision Support Digital Health Platform for Opioid Conversion in Palliative and End of Life Care-A Single-Centre Pilot Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:ijerph16111926. [PMID: 31151321 PMCID: PMC6612362 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16111926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Opioid errors are a leading cause of patient harm. Active failures in opioid dose conversion can contribute to error. Conversion is complex and is currently performed manually using tables of approximate equivalence. Apps that offer opioid dose double-checking are available but there are concerns about their accuracy and clinical validation. This study evaluated a novel opioid dose conversion app, The Safer Prescription of Opioids Tool (SPOT), a CE-marked Class I medical device, as a clinician decision support (CDS) platform. This single-centre prospective clinical utility pilot study followed a mixed methods design. Prescribers completed an initial survey exploring their current opioid prescribing practice. Thereafter prescribers used SPOT for opioid dosage conversions in parallel to their usual clinical practice, then evaluated SPOT through a survey and focus group. SPOT matched the Gold Standard result in 258 of 268 (96.3%) calculations. The 10 instances (3.7%) when SPOT did not match were due to a rounding error. Users had a statistically significant increase in confidence in prescribing opioids after using SPOT. Focus group feedback highlighted benefits in Quality Improvement and Safety when using SPOT. SPOT is a safe, reliable and validated CDS that has potential to reduce harms from opioid dosing errors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Flint
- Medical School, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK.
| | | | | | - Alfred Cuschieri
- Medical School, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK.
| | - Shady Botros
- NHS Tayside Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK.
| | - Joanna Forbes
- Medical School, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK.
| | - Jacob George
- Medical School, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK.
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50
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Britt HR, JaKa MM, Fernstrom KM, Bingham PE, Betzner AE, Taghon JR, Shippee ND, Shippee TP, Schellinger SE, Anderson EW. Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of LifeCourse on Utilization and Patient and Caregiver Quality of Life and Experience. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2019; 36:408-416. [PMID: 30541333 PMCID: PMC6442020 DOI: 10.1177/1049909118817740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Whole-person care is a new paradigm for serious illness, but few programs have been robustly studied. We sought to test the effect of LifeCourse (LC), a person-centered program for patients living with serious illness, on health-care utilization, care experience, and quality of life, employing a quasi-experimental design with a Usual Care (UC) comparison group. The study was conducted 2012 to 2017 at an upper-Midwest not-for-profit health-care system with outcomes measured every 3 months until the end of life. Enrolled patients (N = 903) were estimated to be within 3 years of end of life and diagnosed with 1+ serious illness. Exclusion criteria included hospice enrollment at time of screening or active dying. Community health workers (CHWs) delivered standardized monthly 1-hour home visits based on palliative care guidelines and motivational interviewing to promote patients' physical, psychosocial, and financial well-being. Primary outcomes included health-care utilization and patient- and caregiver-experience and quality of life. Patients were elderly (LC 74, UC 78 years) and primarily non-Hispanic, white, living at home with cardiovascular disease as the primary diagnosis (LC 69%, UC 57%). A higher proportion of LC patients completed advance directives (N = 173, 38%) than UC patients (N = 66, 15%; P < .001). LifeCourse patients who died spent more days in hospice (88 ± 191 days) compared to UC patients (44 ± 71 days; P = .018). LifeCourse patients reported greater improvements than UC in communication as part of the care experience ( P = .016). Implementation of person-centered programs delivered by CHWs is feasible; inexpensive upstream expansion of palliative care models can yield benefits for patients and caregivers. Trial Registration: Trial NCT01746446 was registered on November 27, 2012 at ClinicalTrials.gov .
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Nathan D. Shippee
- Division of Health Policy-Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis,
MN, USA
| | - Tetyana P. Shippee
- Division of Health Policy-Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis,
MN, USA
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