Palliative Care Commons^™

Anticipation, Accompaniment, And A Good Death In Perinatal Care., Bryanna S. Moore, Brian S. Carter, Bryan Beaven, Katie House, Joel House

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The ethics of perinatal care, and the experiences of families who receive such care, remains a nascent area of inquiry. It can be hard to see how existing "good death" constructs apply to the experiences of fetal patients and their families. In this paper, we explore two themes raised by a case at our fetal health center: anticipation and accompaniment. In this case, a mother presented to our fetal health center; her unborn son, our fetal patient, was diagnosed with life-threatening hypoplastic left heart syndrome and endocardial fibroelastosis. The parents were told that their son's life expectancy, upon birth, was …

Chapter 14: Hospice And End-Of-Life Care, Sally Pelon, Brandon Youker, M. Paola Leon

Books and Contributions to Books

This chapter explores end-of-life issues and concerns as well as the hospice movement’s role in assisting terminally ill individuals. Specific social work assessment and interventions tools are offered considered as well as controversial issues in end-of-life care.

"Farewell" To Prognosis In Shared Decision-Making, Robert F. Johnson

Peer Reviewed Articles

Whether because of a cultural pattern or personal preference, palliative care clinicians encounter persons approaching the end of life who wish to limit or forego prognostic information relating to their situation. This scenario has received attention in a recent motion picture as well as a newly available advance directive modification—the Prognosis Declaration form. The ordinary expectation for end-of-life shared decision-making with a capable person is clinician disclosure of the best effort at prognostic assessment. The optimal match between the expressed values, goals, and preferences of the person with available clinician expertise is hopefully achieved. For the clinician, a person’s choice …

Fostering Productive Conversations In A Kenyan Tertiary Intensive Care Unit: Lessons Learnt, Sayed Karar, Jamila Nambafu, Feroza Daroowalla

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Effective communication remains key in delivery of comprehensive care to patient especially in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. However, many providers, for various reasons, struggle with the art of effective communication adversely affecting relationship with patients and their families. Little is known or has been published about effective communication in ICUs within sub-Saharan Africa.

Pharmacologic And Nonpharmacologic Approaches To Palliative Care In Oncology, Daniel Powell, Sunitha Johns, Samia Alam, Isabel E. Cwikla, Brendan Rasor, David W. Koh

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

In recent decades, few fields have changed as drastically as oncology. A wide variety of approaches must be taken in order to best care for cancer patients. With the globalization of health care and modern society, nontraditional management of cancer symptoms is once again increasing in popularity. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has also recently updated their palliative care guidelines. These guidelines provide a detailed approach for the care of a wide range of cancer patients but largely focus on traditional pharmacotherapy. An increasing number of studies are being conducted on nonpharmacologic approaches to care for patients with cancer. …

The Hapless State Of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis In India: A Comprehensive Look At Life And Medical Services For Als Patients In Rural Himachal Pradesh, Carson J. Bergström

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that leads to paralysis. The disease requires a high amount of medical intervention and interdisciplinary focus to achieve quality of life for patients. This study looks at ALS patient’s lifestyles, their access to these medical devices, Indian therapeutic approaches and policy that impacts patients in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. As caretakers have a critical part in the care for this disease, their lives were also considered in the case studies. It was found that ALS patients are not experiencing access to medical devices necessary for life because of physical …

Impact Of Palliative Care Consultation On End Of Life Care Measures: A Retrospective Analysis Of Patients In The Oncology Care Model, Alison Greidinger, Md, Maria Vershvovsky, Md, Evan Lapinsky, Md, Alison Rhoades, Md, Amy Leader, Drph, Vittorio Maio, Pharmd, Jared Minetola, Karen Walsh, Ms, Mba, Valerie Csik, Mph, Cpps, Ruben Rhoades, Md

Department of Medical Oncology Posters

Introduction

• In 2016 ASCO recommended that patients with advanced cancer receive dedicated palliative care (PC) services1. Early PC involvement is associated with lower spending, fewer 30-day readmission rates, decreased chemotherapy administration at the end of life (EOL) and increased hospice referrals2.
• Many patients are not referred and continue to receive chemotherapy and utilize high-acuity services near the EOL.
• The Oncology Care Model (OCM) is a CMS episode-based alternative payment model promoting high-value care.
• We evaluated the effect of PC visits on EOL outcomes including code status (CS) and spending in the last 30 days of life.

Development Of An Outpatient Palliative Care Protocol To Monitor Fidelity In The Emergency Medicine Palliative Care Access Trial., Corita R. Grudzen, Abigail M. Schmucker, Deborah J. Shim, Aminat Ibikunle, Jeanne Cho, Frank R. Chung, Susan E. Cohen

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Introduction: Palliative care is recommended for patients with life-limiting illnesses; however, there are few standardized protocols for outpatient palliative care visits. To address the paucity of data, this article aims to: (1) describe the elements of outpatient palliative care that are generalizable across clinical sites; (2) achieve consensus about standardized instruments used to assess domains within outpatient palliative care; and (3) develop a protocol and intervention checklist for palliative care clinicians to document outpatient visit elements that might not normally be recorded in the electronic heath record.

Methods: As part of a randomized control trial of nurse-led telephonic case management …

Implementation Of The Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale (Ipos) Into Palliative Care Practice, Lisa A. Pezold

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: The Visiting Nurse Association of Greater St. Louis (VNA) has a grant-funded, palliative care program called Advanced Illness Management (AIM). The Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale (IPOS) is a tool for providers to identify symptoms. The VNA implemented the IPOS in 2017. A previous quality improvement project revealed that IPOS symptoms were addressed less than 95% of the time leaving patients to suffer from burdensome symptoms, thereby reducing their quality of life.

Methods: Providers were educated on the importance of addressing all symptoms with pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic interventions and the impact the interventions have on the AIM program, grant …

Exploring Parental Wishes And Personhood In The Grey Zones Of Neonatal Resuscitation, Alison Lindsay

Honors Projects

The intense societal debate churning around the moral status of fetuses includes topics such as qualifications for personhood, the role of the autonomous decisions of a fetus’ mother, and the obligations of society to protect fetuses. This paper analyzes extending this discussion to newborns in five sections. The first section presents a literature review of responses to a philosophical paper about the respective interests of parents and fetuses and newborns, elaborating on aspects of personhood and parental decision-making. The second section presents a literature review of medical and nursing discussion around resuscitation for extremely premature newborns, focusing on similar evaluations …

Expedited Referral To Inpatient Hospice Unit Through The Jefferson Methodist Hospital Emergency Department, Brian Fromm, Md, Kory London, Md, Facep

House Staff Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Conference (2016-2019)

Background

Palliative care is the branch of healthcare that aims to provide symptomatic relief for patients with chronic or incurable medical conditions. Hospice is a subcategory of palliative care in which the focus is placed on comfort to the exclusion of further curative efforts, generally reserved for patients with a life expectancy of six months or less.

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Choosing Wisely guidelines recommend that emergency physicians refer appropriate patients to hospice and palliative services. Preventing hospital admission in favor of transfer to an inpatient hospice unit “can benefit select patients resulting in both improved quality …

Utilization Of Evidence-Based Telehealth For Routine Follow-Up Visits In Outpatient Palliative Care, Kori Fitzgerald Bsn, Rn, Phn, Fnp/Dnp Student

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Title: Utilization of Telehealth for Palliative Care Follow-up Visits

Background: A vital part of cancer management is the implementation and integration of palliative care, to prevent and relieve suffering and to improve quality of life for patients with serious chronic illness. However, access to palliative care services continues to be inadequate. There is a nationwide shortage of skilled palliative providers and the supply is insufficient to meet the growing demand.

Purpose of Project: Implementing telehealth visits with palliative care patients with advanced cancer at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center has the potential to maintain patient satisfaction with …

Does Palliative Care Involvement Influence Location Of Death?, Joy L. Solano

Research Days

No abstract provided.

A Unique Model For Perinatal Palliative Care In A Level Iv Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Kelstan L. Ellis Do, Megan Tucker Md

Research Days

No abstract provided.

A Unique Model For Palliative Care In A Level Iv Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Kelstan L. Ellis Do, Megan Tucker, Jennifer Linebarger

Posters

This poster describes a review of the relationship between the Fetal Health Center and the Palliative Care team as the Palliative Care Team follows the patient family from prenatal through neonatal intensive care.

Does Pediatric Palliative Care Involvement Influence Location Of Death?, Joy Solano, Meghna Singh, Ashley K. Sherman, Jennifer Linebarger

Posters

This study describes the influence of a palliative care team on location of death and location of death discussions with patients/caregivers, and determines whether location of death discussions influence location of death.

With palliative care or a location of death discussion, patients were less likely to die in the PICU and more likely to die at home. Location of death discussions were more likely to occur if a palliative care team was involved.

Increasing Adult's Awareness Of The Importance Of End-Of-Life Care Discussions, Taylor Gardner

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For many American families, end-of-life care is often not discussed, until advanced illness or injury has fully disrupted everyday life. There are many benefits to discussing end-of-life care prior to any medical complications. Research has shown that individuals who plan their end-of-life processes with a hospice service provider and family members report a higher quality of death than individuals receiving common health care during their final six months of life. In order to make families and friends more comfortable with end-of-life discussions, I will conduct two one-hour educational sessions to students at California State University, Monterey Bay.

Impact Of Palliative Care Consultations For Patients Admitted To Maine Medical Center With Acute Exacerbations Of Copd, Benjamin Jarrett, Isabella Strumpf, Rebecca Hutchinson

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

Background and purpose:

• COPD is the 3rd leading cause of death.

• Specialty Palliative Care (PC) is underutilized in COPD patients.

•PC involvement has been shown to improve quality of life and satisfaction with overall care.

• We sought to evaluate the association of receipt of palliative medicine consultation during an admission for acute exacerbation of COPD with a documented Goals of Care conversations and/or presence of an advanced directive and/or POLST.

What’S Happening To Our Patients In Their Final Year Of Life?, Teresa Letellier, Amy Haskins, Christina Holt

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

We want to “die well” which includes:

• Effective symptom management

• Receiving care consistent with wishes Who achieves this, and how?

• Primary care physicians (PCPs) – Insufficient time and training

• Palliative care physicians – Better quality care and decreased health care cost in last years of life

• “Surprise Question” – “Would you be surprised if this patient dies in the next year?”

• To recognize our sickest patients and discuss goals of care and consult palliative care, if appropriate • “Advance care planning tab” – To record code status, advance directive, POLST forms, medical power of …

Northern New England Palliative Care Teleconsult Research Laboratory, Ava Daruvala, Rebecca N. Hutchinson, Eric Anderson, Paul Han

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

Introduction:

• Palliative care (PC) is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families.

• Delivery of PC via telehealth technology (tele-PC) has been proposed as a solution to increase access to PC in rural areas. • The feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of applying telehealth technology to PC remains unknown.

• The overarching purpose of the proposed study is to 1) evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a tele-PC intervention for seriously ill patients, and 2) generate pilot data to better understand provider-patient communication during tele-PC consultations

An Integrated Model Of Palliative Care In The Emergency Department To Improve Referrals, Jennifer L. Schlatter

Doctoral Projects

Introduction: The emergency department plays a critical role in the trajectory of in-hospital patient care. The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) along with the American College of Emergency Physicians (AECP) recommend early referral to palliative care for patients with life limiting illnesses that present to the emergency department. Research demonstrates that early palliative care consultations result in patient directed goals of care, improved symptom management, decreased length of stay, and reduced direct costs for inpatient hospitalizations.

Objectives: The goal of this project was to implement evidence-based recommendations for early palliative care referrals in an adult emergency department to improve …

An Evidence-Based Toolkit For Early Identification Of Frail Inmates, Morgan A. Kochajda

Doctoral Projects

There are significant numbers of people aging and nearing end of life while being incarcerated (Richter & Hostettler, 2017). Currently the Department of Corrections (DOC) does not have a standardized process for early identification of inmates who may need increased end of life care services. A potential solution to this problem would be the use of a frailty screening tool for early identification of those inmates who may need increased resources. At this time, there is not a formalized relationship between a Midwest hospice and palliative care department and the DOC. There is a desire from leadership of the hospice …

Evidence-Based Toolkit To Evaluate Telemedicine Delivery Of Palliative Care, Aubrey E. Dwyer

Doctoral Projects

Advances in healthcare have led to many individuals with cancer to live longer, however the quality of life of these individuals has decreased. Palliative care is a medical sub-specialty that can assist to care for individuals with a life-limiting illness such as cancer. However, the access to palliative care services in rural communities is limited. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report Dying in America, increasing access to palliative care will not only enhance the quality of life for patients with a life-limiting illness, but also contribute to a more sustainable healthcare system. The key stakeholders within a Midwest …

Evidence Doesn’T Change Prescribing Patterns…So What Does?, Ali Rida, Anthony Brooks

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

The authors write in support of critical analysis of clinical research, as a corrective to the physician's urge to "do something" even when no evidence of benefit exists.

Single-Subject Designs And Practice-Based Research In Palliative Care: A Letter To The Editor., James Gerhart, Dennis J. Hand, Michael Hoerger, Sean O'Mahony

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Emergency Medicine Palliative Care Access (Empalla): Preliminary Data From A Multi-Center Randomized Controlled Trial, Abigail M. Schmucker, Ba, Deborah J. Shim, Bs, Corita R. Grudzen, Md, Mshs, Jeanne Cho, Mph, Keith Goldfeld, Drph

Phase 1

Introduction: Emergency department (ED)-initiated palliative care has been shown to improve patient-centered outcomes in older adults with serious illnesses, but the optimal modality for providing such interventions is unknown. The EMPallA trial compares nurse-led, telephonic case management with specialty, outpatient palliative care on: 1) patient quality of life (QOL); 2) healthcare utilization; 3) loneliness and symptom burden; and 4) caregiver strain, QOL, and bereavement.

Objective: Summarize preliminary demographic and QOL data for the EMPallA cohort.

Methods: A pragmatic, parallel, two-arm randomized controlled trial is enrolling 1350 ED patients across 9 EDs over 3 years to compare the effectiveness of palliative …

A Nurse Navigator-Driven Program To Increase Palliative Care Referrals For Advanced Heart Failure Patients, Margaret Richter, Linda Desitter, Adam Mizgajski, Deborah Strohecker

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

No abstract provided.

Death With Dignity For The Seemingly Undignified: Denial Of Aid In Dying In Prison, Kathleen Messinger

Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology

The medical community has fundamentally changed how we think about life and death. Humans in privileged parts of the world are living longer and have access to life-saving treatment. The focus on quantity of life then has shifted to emphasizing quality of life and questioning whether longevity should at the expense of comfort or satisfaction. The conversation surrounding quality of life, and by extension end-of-life care, has included whether a competent adult has a right, or should have a right to end their own life on their own terms. The history of aid in dying is wrought with political ideology, …

Effect Of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation On Preoperative Pulmonary Physiology, Postoperative Respiratory Complications And Quality Of Life In Patients With Oesophageal Cancer, J. A. Elliott, L. O'Byrne, G. Foley, C. F. Murphy, Suzanne Doyle, S. King, E. M. Guinan, N. Ravi, V. Reynolds

Articles

Background: It remains controversial whether neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) for oesophageal cancer influences operative morbidity, in particular pulmonary, and quality of life. This study combined clinical outcome data with systematic evaluation of pulmonary physiology to determine the impact of nCRT on pulmonary physiology and clinical outcomes in locally advanced oesophageal cancer.

Methods: Consecutive patients treated between 2010 and 2016 were included. Three-dimensional conformal radiation was standard, with a lung dose–volume histogram of V20 less than 25 per cent, and total radiation between 40 and 41⋅4Gy. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusion capacity …

Search Strategy For "The Benefits, Burdens, And Risks Of Participation In Pediatric Palliative Care And End Of Life Research: A Systematic Review", Pamela S. Hinds, Vanessa N. Madrigal, Cynthia J. Bell, Cynthia M. Schmidt, Amy R. Newman, Kim Mooney-Doyle, Jessica L. Spruit, Tessie October, Christine A. Fortney, Melissa Kurtz Uveges, Kitty Montgomery, Katherine Patterson Kelly, Meaghann S. Weaver

Search Strategies: Leon S. McGoogan Health Sciences Library

No abstract provided.