1442O Proactive early palliative care referral for cancer patients in the intensive care unit: Implementing a novel “triggers” checklist

Abstract

Integrated palliative care (PC) is recommended for all cancer patients. It improves patient experience and communication, reduces symptom burden and futile medical interventions, and shortens length of hospital stay. Despite the mortality of 27-43% for cancer patients admitted to intensive care (ICU), early PC involvement has not been widely adopted. Previous studies have shown the potential for using specific “trigger” criteria to identify ICU patients for early PC referral. We show the benefits of using a novel trigger tool in practice at the time of admission to ICU in a specialist cancer hospital.