Palliative Care Consultation Team Research Articles

Frequency and barriers to the patient advanced directive and lasting power of attorney: findings from a prospective observation study in palliative care services

The advance directive and lasting power of attorney are instruments to strengthen patients' autonomy. Ahospital-based palliative care consultation service can advise patients and family members about these instruments. This study investigates the need for such consultation among patients with life-limiting illness. This prospective observational study on intensive and non-intensive care units includes patients with arequest for palliative care consultation. Patient-related factors were evaluated for their possible association with the presence or absence of advance directives or power of attorney. In addition, focus group interviews with members of the palliative care consultation team were carried out to identify barriers which prevent patients from drawing up such documents. Atotal of 241 oncological and 53non-oncological patients were included with amedian age of 67years; 69(23%) patients were treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Overall, 98(33%) patients had advance directives, and 133 (45%) had determined alegal health care proxy in advance. Atotal of 52patients died in hospital (17.7%). Only age and relationship status were associated with directives. In interviews, the following barriers were identified: information deficit, concern regarding discontinuation of treatment, loss of autonomy and wish to avoid aburden for the family. The majority in this severely ill patient population lack advance directives. In order to remove barriers, more effective information and counseling is required about such directives. In particular, guidance should include potential clinical situations in which such directives are potentially beneficial.

Continuous Ambulatory Delivery Device Use for Patients Managed by an Inpatient Palliative Care Team

BackgroundThe use of Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) via a Continuous Ambulatory Delivery Device (CADD) is a common and effective means of pain and symptom management for hospitalized patients with a malignancy. Studies exploring the indications for starting such a device for hospitalized inpatients referred to inpatient palliative care teams are limited. AimThis retrospective chart review aims to explore indications, timing of initiation, and barriers to the use of a CADD. MethodsOver a six month period, during daily inpatient palliative care consult team rounds, patients who required a CADD were enrolled in this study. Sixty-one adult patients were identified who required a pump for symptom control. The team’s database sheets were used to capture patient demographics. ResultsThe main reasons for initiating a Continuous Ambulatory Delivery Device in the above setting included: lack of efficacy of oral opioids and to increase patient autonomy of their pain management. Approximately 20% of patients required transfer to another unit that could accommodate the CADD. The median length of stay for these patients was 13 days, with a median length of half a day for a pump to be started. ConclusionsThis initial study provides the Palliative Care Consult Team with information on the indications for the use of a CADD. The lack of universal access to a CADD in various areas of our hospital due to differences in departmental protocols may compromise good symptom management and patient safety. These results strengthen the argument that the existing hospital policy requires revamping to improve CADD access.A CADD has been shown to provide hospitalized patients, with a malignancy, with timely access to effective symptom management, and in turn, reducing their length of stay in hospital. These findings will help inform this organization's CADD policy and support the need to broaden access to this device.

DO RELIGION, CULTURE, RACE, OR ETHNICITY PLAY A ROLE IN CHOOSING PEG TUBE AT THE END OF LIFE?

Abstract Although there is substantial evidence that Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) causes significant morbidity and does not change mortality for patients with advanced dementia it continues to be used. We describe a quality initiative of Palliative Care Consultation (PCC) in conjunction with any new PEG evaluation. EMR review and interview with patient (and/or proxy) being evaluated for first-time PEG in two community hospitals within large health system in demographically diverse major metropolitan area. PCC teams provided consistent, culturally/religiously, language-sensitive education regarding PEG, conducted interviews about subsequent decision. Post-initiative PEG placement dropped from >75% to 17.6%, 76 patients received PCC with PEG evaluation. Average age 83.5 (range: 56-108), 55% female. Religion: 54% Christian, 7% Muslim, 10% Jewish, 11% non-religious, 18% other; 46% White, 37% Black, 8% Asian, 8% Hispanic. Common evaluation reasons: difficulty swallowing (30%), low PO intake (30%). Majority of patients had dementia (71%), stroke (18%), Parkinson’s (8%). Most decision-makers (66%) hadn’t received prior counseling regarding alternate nutrition options. After PCC, 17.6% chose PEG, 79.7% careful hand feeding, 2.7% remained unsure. Those choosing PEG mostly desired “guaranteed” nutrition despite risks (10/13), and/or a trial seeking patient recovery (5/13). There were no apparent differences in race/ethnicity, age, sex, or religion that distinguished those electing PEG. PCC initiative to support patients and families “choosing wisely” around PEG placement for those with advanced illness has resulted in significant reduction. Decision-makers mostly cited wish to guarantee nutrition while some hoped for patient recovery. Religious affiliation and sex were not cited as reasons in this group.

Transition from intensive care to palliative care : A retrospective analysis of 102 consultation requests

The transition of patients from the intensive care unit (ICU) to the palliative care (PC) ward often implies changes including establishing apalliative concept. Adaptation of therapeutic goals can be challenging for medical staff, patients and relatives; however, descriptions of these transition trajectories are rare. The aim of this retrospective study was to characterize the consultation requests of the ICU to the PC consultation team as well as the patients by a description of trajectories and interventions. Retrospective analysis of all patients receiving intensive care at RWTH Aachen University Hospital in 2019 for whom aPC consultation was requested. The patient population transferred from the ICU to the PC ward was compared with the non-transferred population. In each case, the primary consultation was evaluated regarding the following factors: question, vigilance, length of time from consultation request to its performance, and primary focus of the question. The question focus was categorized into "symptom control", "counselling" and "transfer" (tick options). In addition, afree text field was available for further notes. Exploration of diagnoses was complemented by accessing the electronic health records. A total of 102 consultation requests from the ICU to the PC ward were evaluated. The morbidity of patients was high, and most patients had at least one of the following diagnoses: pulmonary (62%), cardiovascular (61%), and/or neurological disease (55%). Of the patients 32 (31%) were transferred to the PC ward, among whom weakness (94%), fatigue (77%), anxiety (55%), pain (53%), and dyspnea (48%) were the most frequently noted symptoms. Of the transferred patients 5 (16%) could be discharged to home, nursing home, hospice or other. In total, 35 (34%) of all patients who were seen by palliative care specialists on ICUs in 2019 could be discharged alive. The most frequent reasons for nonadmission were lack of capacity of the PC ward (33%), dying while being on the waiting list (20%), and refusal by the patient (20%). Of the patients, 7 (26%) died within 48 h after they had been transferred to the PC ward. Performed consultation services "symptom control" (χ2 = 10.17; p < 0.05) and "counselling" (χ2 = 12.82; p < 0.001), which were requested by the intensive care physicians, showed asignificant linkage with the respective intervention performed by the palliative care team. On the other hand, no statistically significant difference was found for requested and performed "transfer" of patients from ICUs to PC ward. Comparing the transferred versus non-transferred patient population, asignificantly more frequent transfer of patients with malignant tumors (p = 0.00) was observed. The need for palliative care support in the ICUs exceeded the admission capacity of the PC ward. Future studies should further examine palliative care models in intensive care medicine.

Preferred versus Actual Place of Care and Factors Associated with Home Discharge among Korean Patients with Advanced Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Respecting the preference for a place of care is essential for advance care planning in patients with advanced cancer. This retrospective study included adult patients with cancer referred to an inpatient palliative care consultation team at a tertiary acute care hospital in South Korea between April 2019 and December 2020. Patients' preference for place of care and demographic and clinical factors were recorded, and the actual discharge locations were categorized as home or non-home. Patients discharged home but with unintended hospital visits within 2 months were also investigated. Of the 891 patients referred to the palliative care consultation team, 210 (23.6%) preferred to be discharged home. Among them, 113 (53.8%) were discharged home. No significant differences were found between patients who preferred home discharge and those who did not. Home discharge was higher among female patients (p = 0.04) and lower in those with poor oral intake (p < 0.001) or dyspnea (p = 0.02). Of the 113 patients discharged home, 37 (32.8%) had unintended hospital visits within 2 months. Approximately one-quarter of hospitalized patients with advanced cancer preferred to be discharged home, but only half of them received the home discharge. To meet patients' preferences for end-of-life care, individual care planning considering relevant factors is necessary.

Lessons Learned from an Embedded Palliative Care Model in the Medical Intensive Care Unit.

To describe a physician (MD) and registered nurse (RN) led palliative care consultation team embedded in the medical intensive care unit (MICU). To compare patterns of palliative care consultation, and rates of goals of care documentation and in-ICU mortality before and after the implementation of the embedded team. By embedding MD/RN palliative care team in the MICU, more critically ill patients with unmet palliative care needs could receive an earlier palliative care consultation. In a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to the MICU who received a palliative care consultation, we compared sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients who received a referral-based consultation (01/01/2019-06/30/2019) and those who received an embedded MD/RN consult (09/01/2019-02/28/2020). Using the electronic health record data, we compared palliative care consultation characteristics, rates of documentation of medical decision-maker and goals of care, and percentage of in-ICU mortality between the referral group and the embedded group. In a six-month period, 169 MICU patients received an embedded consultation, as compared to 52 MICU patients who received a referral-based consultation. As compared to the referral-based period, those patients who received an embedded consult were seen significantly earlier in hospitalization (median number of days from hospital admission to consult: 10 days [pre] vs. 3 days [embedded], P<0.001), more likely to have documentation of medical decision-makers (40% [pre] vs. 66% [embedded], P=0.002) and goals of care (37% [pre] vs. 71% [embedded], P<0.001) and less likely to die in the hospital (75% [pre] vs. 44% [embedded], P<0.001). After embedding a palliative care MD/RN team into the MICU, patients received earlier palliative care consultation, were more likely to have medical decision-maker and goals of care documented, and less likely to die in the hospital. Future work will examine how to adapt this model to other ICUs to improve palliative care access for critically ill patients broadly.

Comparing Adherence with Best Practices in End-of-Life Care After Implementing the End-of-Life Order Set: A Quality Improvement Project in an Ottawa Academic Hospital.

Physicians in acute care require tools to assist them in transitioning patients from a "life prolonging" approach to "end-of-life care," and standardized order sets can be a useful strategy. The end-of-life order set (EOLOS) was developed and implemented in the medical wards of a community academic hospital. To compare adherence with best practices in end-of-life care after implementing the EOLOS. We conducted a retrospective chart review of admitted patients with expected deaths in the year preceding EOLOS implementation ("before EOLOS" group), and in the 12 to 24 months following EOLOS implementation ("after EOLOS" group). A total of 295 charts were included: 139 (47%) in the "before EOLOS" group and 156 (53%) in the "after EOLOS" group, of which 117/156 charts (75%) had a completed EOLOS. The "after EOLOS" group demonstrated more "do not resuscitate" orders and more written communication to team members about comfort goals of care. There was a decrease in nonbeneficial interventions in the last 24 hours of life in the "after EOLOS" group: high-flow oxygen, intravenous antibiotics, and deep vein thrombosis/venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. The "after EOLOS" group demonstrated increased prescription of all common end-of-life medications, except for opioids, which had a high preexisting rate of prescription. Patients in the "after EOLOS" group showed a higher rate of spiritual care and palliative care consult team consultation. Findings support standardized order sets as a good framework allowing generalist hospital staff to improve adherence to established palliative care principles and improve end-of-life care of hospital inpatients.

Development of a screening tool for the need of specialist palliative care in oncologic inpatients: study protocol for the ScreeningPALL Study

IntroductionA range of referral criteria and scores have been developed in recent years to help with screening for the need of specialist palliative care (SPC) in advanced, incurable cancer patients....

Perceptions on handling of opioids: focus COVID-19 : A survey among anesthesiologists via the specialist societies DGAI/BDA

HintergrundOpioide gehören zum Klinikalltag in Anästhesiologie, Intensivmedizin und Palliativmedizin. Hinsichtlich der Behandlung von Dyspnoe mit Opioiden finden sich in Leitlinien jedoch unterschiedliche Gewichtungen. Dies kann zu Unsicherheiten bezüglich Indikationsstellung und ethischer Implikationen im Umgang mit Opioiden – auch bei COVID-19 – führen.Ziel der ArbeitErfassung der Wahrnehmung bezüglich Umgang mit Morphin/Opioiden (M/O) zur Symptomkontrolle inner- und außerhalb der Palliativmedizin, auch bei COVID-19-Erkrankten.Material und MethodenMittels SurveyMonkey® (Momentive Inc., San Mateo, CA, USA) wurden Mitglieder der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Anästhesiologie (DGAI) und des Berufsverbands Deutscher Anästhesisten (BDA) im Oktober 2020 anonymisiert nach ihrer eigenen Wahrnehmung zum Umgang mit M/O zur Symptomkontrolle befragt.Ergebnisse und DiskussionVon N = 1365 teilnehmenden Anästhesist:innen beschrieben 88 % den Umgang mit M/O innerhalb der Palliativmedizin als „sicher und vertraut“ bzw. 85 % als „klar geregelt“, während dies für die Bereiche außerhalb der Palliativmedizin deutlich seltener angegeben wurde (77 %/63 %). Bei der Betreuung COVID-19-Erkrankter wurde der Umgang mit M/O außerhalb der Palliativmedizin noch seltener als „sicher und vertraut“ (40 %) oder „klar geregelt“ (29 %) wahrgenommen. Dyspnoe (95 %/75 %), Erleichterung des Sterbeprozesses (84 %/51 %), Unruhe (59 %/27 %) und Angst/Panik (61 %/33 %) wurden häufiger innerhalb als außerhalb der Palliativmedizin als allgemeine Indikationen genannt. Von den Befragten wünschten sich 85 % die Einbindung eines palliativmedizinischen Konsilteams.FazitAnästhesist:innen nahmen deutliche Unsicherheiten im Umgang mit M/O wahr, insbesondere außerhalb der Palliativmedizin. Einheitliche, interdisziplinäre Leitlinien zur Symptomkontrolle etwa bei Dyspnoe, mehr Lehre und die Einbindung eines palliativmedizinischen Konsilteams sollten zukünftig intensiver bedacht werden.

Cultures that collide: an ethnographic study of the introduction of a palliative care consultation team on acute wards

BackgroundAcute care and palliative care (PC) are described as different incompatible organisational care cultures. Few studies have observed the actual meeting between these two cultures. In this paper we report part of ethnographic results from an intervention study where a palliative care consultation team (PCCT) used an integrative bedside education approach, trying to embed PC principles and interventions into daily practice in acute wards.PurposeTo study the meeting and interaction of two different care cultures, palliative care and curative acute wards, when a PCCT introduces consulting services to acute wards regarding end-of-life palliative care, focusing on the differences between the cultures.MethodsAn ethnographic study design was used, including observations, interviews and diary entries. A PCCT visited acute care wards during 1 year. The analysis was inspired by Spradleys ethnography.ResultsThree themes were found: 1) Anticipations meets reality; 2) Valuation of time and prioritising; and 3) The content and creation of palliative care.ConclusionThere are many differences in values, and the way PC are provided in the acute care wards compared to what a PCCT expects. The didactic challenges are many and the PC require effort.

Perceptions on the use of opioids in COVID-19 : Asurvey of members of the German Association for Palliative Medicine

HintergrundObwohl Opioide wirksam Schmerzen und Dyspnoe lindern, findet dies in Leitlinien zur Symptomkontrolle unterschiedliche Gewichtung. Dies kann zu Unsicherheiten bezüglich Indikationen und ethischer Implikationen im Umgang mit Opioiden auch bei COVID-19 führen.Ziel der ArbeitWir untersuchten bei Mitgliedern der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Palliativmedizin (DGP) die persönliche Wahrnehmung des Umgangs mit Morphin/Opioiden (M/O) zur Symptomkontrolle innerhalb und außerhalb der Palliativmedizin (PM), auch bei der Betreuung COVID-19-Erkrankter.Material und MethodenMittels Survey Monkey® wurden DGP-Mitglieder anonymisiert nach ihrer eigenen Wahrnehmung des Umgangs mit M/O zur Symptomkontrolle befragt.Ergebnisse und DiskussionVon den 6192 DGP-Mitgliedern nahmen N = 506 teil. Den Umgang mit M/O innerhalb der PM beschrieben 98 % der befragten Ärzt:innen und Pflegekräfte als „sicher und vertraut“ bzw. 95 % als „klar geregelt“, während dies für die Bereiche außerhalb der PM von weniger als der Hälfte angegeben wurde (48 %/38 %). Bei der Betreuung COVID-19-Erkrankter wurde der Umgang mit M/O außerhalb der PM noch seltener als „sicher und vertraut“ (26 %) oder „klar geregelt“ (23 %) wahrgenommen. Dyspnoe (99 %/52 %), Erleichterung des Sterbeprozesses (62 %/37 %), Unruhe (30 %/15 %) und Angst/Panik (27 %/13 %) wurden häufiger innerhalb als außerhalb der PM als allgemeine Indikationen genannt. 89 % der Befragten wünschten sich die Einbindung eines PM-Konsilteams.SchlussfolgerungMitglieder der DGP nahmen deutliche Unsicherheiten im Umgang mit M/O außerhalb der PM wahr. Einheitliche interdisziplinäre Leitlinien zur Symptomkontrolle etwa bei Dyspnoe, mehr Lehre und die Einbindung eines PM-Konsilteams sollten zukünftig mehr bedacht werden.

Palliative Care Teams Reduce Hospital Mortality and Utilization: Causal Evidence from a Quasi‐Experimental, Nationwide Evaluation in Ireland

Research ObjectiveTo evaluate the causal effect of palliative care consultation teams (PCCTs) on in‐hospital mortality and health care utilization in public hospitals in Ireland for the period 2005–2018 using a quasi‐experimental research design.Study Design Setting: Ireland is a country in north‐western Europe with a population of approximately 4.6million. The health system has both public and private provision, but the 40 acute public hospitals account for 95% &lt; of inpatient admissions and 90% &lt; of hospital deaths nationally. Population: All adults admitted to a public hospital with a primary diagnosis of advanced cancer, organ (heart, liver, kidney, lung) failure, or Alzheimer's disease. Analysis: We applied decomposed difference‐in‐differences (Goodman‐Bacon method) to exploit the implementation of PCCTs by different hospitals at different times across the study period. For each hospital we identified the year that a PCCT was founded, and so for each year allocated each hospital a treatment variable value of 1 (had a PCCT for the entirety of that year) or 0 (did not). The method then calculates a weighted average of all possible two‐group/two‐period difference‐in‐difference estimators in the data. We controlled for hospital size, type, location and socioeconomic catchment as additional predictors. Sources: We collected PCCT data by hand from each individual hospital service. Outcome data and other predictors were routinely collected administrative data from a national database.Population StudiedAll adults admitted to a public hospital with a primary diagnosis of advanced cancer, organ (heart, liver, kidney, lung) failure, or Alzheimer's disease.Principal FindingsWe had sufficient data for 34 hospitals (85% of sites, 90% &lt; relevant admissions to public hospitals in the study period). There were 600,306 eligible admissions in the data, with an overall mortality rate of 6% (N = 38,595) and a mean LOS of 10.0 days. Sixteen hospitals (47%) had a PCCT at the start of the study period and 34 hospitals (100%) had a PCCT at the end of the study period. Implementation of a PCCT was associated with a mean absolute reduction in in‐hospital mortality of 0.9% (95% CI: −1.6% to −0.2%), a proportional reduction of 10%. Implementation of a PCCT resulted in an absolute reduction in LOS of 0.86 days (95% CI: −1.3 days to −0.4 days), a proportional reduction of 8.6%. Secondary analysis of these data using validated unit costs for acute inpatient stays in Ireland suggests a mean estimated saving per admission of €1500 (~$1250) per admission.ConclusionsPCCTs improve the value of hospital care for people admitted with serious medical illness. These results were derived using quasi‐experimental methods, an important advance in a field where observational studies are at high risk of selection bias and high‐quality trials are rare. The magnitude of effect estimates is lower than reported by most previous studies. We consider the implications for future research.Implications for Policy or PracticePCCTs both reduce costs and improve outcomes for people admitted with serious illness. Services should be expanded to meet current and future needs. The optimal level of this expansion is unknown and requires further development of appropriate methods.Primary Funding SourceHealth Research Board (Ireland).

Impact of legalization of Medical Assistance in Dying on the Use of Palliative Sedation in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Background:Patients approaching end of life may experience intractable symptoms managed with palliative sedation. The legalization of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada in 2016 offers a new option for relief of intolerable suffering, and there is limited evidence examining how the use of palliative sedation has evolved with the introduction of MAiD.Objectives:To compare rates of palliative sedation at a tertiary care hospital before and after the legalization of MAiD.Methods:This study is a retrospective chart analysis of all deaths of patients followed by the palliative care consult team in acute care, or admitted to the palliative care unit. We compared the use of palliative sedation during 1-year periods before and after the legalization of MAiD, and screened charts for MAiD requests during the second time period.Results:4.7% (n = 25) of patients who died in the palliative care unit pre-legalization of MAiD received palliative sedation compared to 14.6% (n = 82) post-MAiD, with no change in acute care. Post-MAiD, 4.1% of deaths were medically-assisted deaths in the palliative care unit (n = 23) and acute care (n = 14). For patients who requested MAiD but instead received palliative sedation, the primary reason was loss of decisional capacity to consent for MAiD.Conclusion:We believe that the mainstream presence of MAiD has resulted in an increased recognition of MAiD and palliative sedation as distinct entities, and rates of palliative sedation increased post-MAiD due to greater awareness about patient choice and increased comfort with end-of-life options.

A QI initiative to enhance nurses comfort level in providing EOL care on a general internal medicine ward

Background and objective: Ideally, nurses should have acquired the knowledge and skills to provide not only pain and symptom management, but emotional support to dying patients and their families. In actual fact, nurses often feel under-educated, under-skilled, inexperienced and uncomfortable in providing comprehensive end of life care. A standardized protocol for assessing imminently dying patients’ symptoms and psychosocial needs was implemented at a tertiary academic hospital. The aim of this quality improvement initiative was to enhance the education and training of nurses on one acute care ward, around the implementation of the Comfort Measures Order Set for end of life care, specifically focusing on the provision of emotional support for dying patients and their families.Methods: Education sessions were offered to the nurses on one acute care ward as the study intervention, and the initial phase of one PDSA cycle. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze questionnaire responses; content analysis was used in reviewing the qualitative data.Results: Pre-intervention, over 70% of nurses did not feel comfortable providing emotional support to dying patients for whom the Comfort Mesaures Order Set was initiated. Post-intervention, nurses reported being more comfortable and knowledgeble.Conclusions: The goal of comfort care at end of life requires the skilled use of the Comfort Measures Order Set. The Advance Practice Nurse role, as part of the Palliative Care Consult Team, is specialized in providing emotional support to patients on comfort measures through research, theory development, education, practice, collaboration, and leadership across the institution.

Effect of continual quality improvement of palliative care consultation teams by iterative, customer satisfaction survey-driven evaluation

BackgroundCurrent consensus recognizes the benefits of early intervention in palliative care consultation teams (PCCTs). As consultants, we should now attempt to improve the quality of our teams by utilizing a method mainly used in the business field. We aimed to investigate the effects of iterative evaluation of customer satisfaction surveys, filled by physicians and ward nurses in this study, for quality improvement of PCCTs.MethodsIn October 2019, the participants filled the first questionnaire survey about palliative care and PCCTs at a 678-bed hospital, and improvement areas were uncovered. Refinements were planned and implemented, and then reevaluated using the second questionnaire survey in March 2020.ResultsIn addition to the characteristics of our clients evaluated from approximately 500 valid responses, the first survey showed that the response rate of the questionnaire, knowledge of palliative care and PCCTs, and publicity of the PCCT were recognized as issues needing attention. We planned to contrive ways to collect questionnaires, hold monthly workshops for palliative care, launch newsletters of palliative care, and go on client rounds. The second survey revealed improvements in the physicians’ response rate (p = 0.02), the accuracy rate of application of PCCTs in Japan (p < 0.01), and ward nurses’ confidence in opioid use (p = 0.04) and tendency toward easier accessibility to the PCCT (p = 0.07).ConclusionContinual quality improvements through iterative, customer satisfaction survey-driven evaluation are a widely established practice in the business field. By using this appropriately, we could enable PCCTs to improve their quality.

The self-perceived palliative care barriers and educational needs of clinicians working in hospital primary care teams and referral patterns: lessons learned from a single-center survey and cohort study.

Within the generalist-plus-specialist palliative care model, palliative care is mainly provided by nurses and physicians of hospital primary care teams. Palliative care consultation teams (PCCTs) support these clinicians in adequately caring for patients with advanced illnesses. Our team started in 2012. The aim of this study was to assess the self-perceived barriers, educational needs and awareness of available palliative care support options among our hospital primary care teams. In addition, palliative care referral patterns were evaluated. Single-center mixed methods study. Outcomes of two surveys of primary care team clinicians (2012 and 2016) on barriers to palliative care, educational needs and awareness of palliative care support options were compared (chi-square, Mann-Whitney U tests, qualitative analysis). Palliative care referral characteristics were evaluated (2012-2017), including referral timing (survival since referral) (descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier methodology). Predictions of survival at referral were analyzed (weighted Kappa). In 2012 and 2016, the most frequently reported barrier was the late initiation of the palliative care approach. Clinicians reported a need for education on physical symptom management and basic palliative care principles. Awareness of support options increased from 2012 to 2016, including improved familiarity with the PCCT (56% vs. 85%, P<0.001) and positive appraisal of the team (8% vs. 40% gave an 'excellent' rating, P<0.001). The use of national symptom management guidelines also improved (23% vs. 53%, P<0.001). Of 1,404 referrals, 86% were for cancer patients. Referrals increased by 28% (mean) per year. Medical oncology clinicians referred most frequently (27%) and increasingly early in the disease trajectory (survival ≥3 months after referral) (P=0.016). Median survival after referral was 0.9 (range, 0-83.3) months. Referring physicians overestimated survival in 44% of patients (kappa 0.36, 95% CI: 0.30-0.42). Primary care team clinicians persistently reported needing support with basic palliative care skills. PCCTs should continuously focus on educating primary care teams and promoting the use of guidelines. Because physicians tend to overestimate survival and usually referred patients late for specialist palliative care, consultation teams should support primary care teams to identify, treat and refer patients with palliative care needs in a timely manner.

Multicentered Evaluation of Palliative Care Pharmacists' Interventions and Outcomes in California.

Introduction: The palliative care (PC) pharmacist's role within PC teams is increasingly recognized with favorable outcomes being reported. Methods: Retrospective study evaluated hospitalized adults seen by PC pharmacists, as part of PC consultation team at three California institutions. The primary objective was to categorize pharmacists' interventions. Secondary end points included length from admission to PC pharmacist involvement and symptom improvement following pharmacist intervention. Results: Data were collected for a total of 557 patients. Over the study period, the PC pharmacists provided 1466 medication recommendations and 2545 nonsymptom-based interventions. Average length of stay (LOS) was 15.6 days with mean time to PC service referral of 3.6 days. PC pharmacist consult occurred after a mean of 4.3 days after PC team consulted. LOS was significantly lower if seen by PC pharmacist within 72 hours of PC consultation, 12.3 days versus 24.5 days (p < 0.001), as well as when serving as lead clinician 9.3 days versus 15.5 days (p < 0.001). Achievement of severity goal was significantly higher at 24 and 72 hours assessment periods when received a medication recommendation for pain, dyspnea, anxiety, and constipation. Conclusion: PC pharmacists provide substantial transdisciplinary interventions. Significantly decreased LOS was found when PC pharmacist was involved within 72 hours of initial PC consultation and when served as lead clinician. Improved symptom goal attainment was demonstrated for pain, dyspnea, anxiety, and constipation. In summary, integration of a PC pharmacist on a PC team can be relied upon to provide patient-centered, transdisciplinary care and enhance symptom management.

Improving Provider Training for Implementing a Comfort Care Order Set in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC): Palliative Care Consult Team Members’ Perspectives (SCI902)

Improving Provider Training for Implementing a Comfort Care Order Set in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC): Palliative Care Consult Team Members’ Perspectives (SCI902)

Palliative Care Specialist Access is Associated With Rankings of Hospital Quality

ContextIncreasing evidence has shown that access to specialty palliative care, particularly outpatient palliative care clinics, can yield improved health outcomes and be a marker of hospital quality. ObjectiveTo determine whether an association exists between access to specialty palliative care programs and hospital rankings found in the 2020-2021 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals. MethodsThis study used publicly available data from the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) Provider Directory to determine access to in-patient and out-patient palliative care in the 2020-2021 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Rankings. Descriptive statistics and chi-squares were performed. Data were also analyzed across the four U.S. Census Bureau regions (Northeast, South, Midwest, West). ResultsAround 100% of the Top 20 hospitals include hospital-based palliative care consultation teams, and 95% offered outpatient palliative care. Of the second cohort of 83 hospitals, 99% offered inpatient palliative care, and 65% offered outpatient palliative care. Of the third cohort of 75 hospitals ranked, 96% had inpatient palliative care services, while only 41.3% offered outpatient palliative care. This represents a significant association between rank position and access to outpatient palliative care (P < 0.01). Ranked hospitals also have significantly higher access to hospital-based palliative care teams compared to the national prevalence rate (P < 0.01). ConclusionThese findings reflect the association of access to specialty palliative care with USNWR rankings for hospital quality. Further study is necessary to determine the specific influence of access to palliative care and USNWR rank position.

Comparison of Two Methods for Implementing Comfort Care Order Sets in the Inpatient Setting: a Cluster Randomized Trial.

There is an ongoing need for interventions to improve quality of end-of-life care for patients in inpatient settings. To compare two methods for implementing a Comfort Care Education Intervention for Palliative Care Consultation Teams (PCCT) in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs). Cluster randomized implementation trial conducted March 2015-April 2019. PCCTs were assigned to a traditional implementation approach using a teleconference or to an in-person, train-the-champion workshop to prepare PCCTs to be clinical champions at their home sites. One hundred thirty-two providers from PCCTs at 47 VAMCs. Both training modalities involved review of educational materials, instruction on using an electronic Comfort Care Order Set, and coaching to deliver the intervention to other providers. Several processes of care were identified a priori as quality endpoints for end-of-life care (last 7 days) and abstracted from medical records of veterans who died within 9 months before or after implementation (n = 6,491). The primary endpoint was the presence of an active order for opioid medication at time of death. Secondary endpoints were orders/administration of antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and scopolamine, do-not-resuscitate orders, advance directives, locations of death, palliative care consultations, nasogastric tubes, intravenous lines, physical restraints, pastoral care visits, and family presence at/near time of death. Generalized estimating equations were conducted adjusting for potential covariates. Eighty-eight providers from 23 VAMCs received teleconference training; 44 providers from 23 VAMCs received in-person workshop training. Analyses found no significant differences between intervention groups in any process-of-care endpoints (primary endpoint AOR (CI) = 1.18 (0.74, 1.89). Furthermore, pre-post changes were not significant for any endpoints (primary endpoint AOR (CI) = 1.16 (0.92, 1.46). Analyses may have been limited by high baseline values on key endpoints with little room for improvement. Findings suggest the clinical effectiveness of palliative care educational intervention was not dependent on which of the two implementation methods was used. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02383173.