scholarly journals 52 A Community Cure for Frequent Reattenders: Developing An Interface Geriatrics Service

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i14-i17
Author(s):  
O Davies ◽  
S James
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Frequent Attenders ◽  
Frequent Attender ◽  
Frail Patients ◽  
Complex Patients ◽  
Advance Care

Abstract Topic Setting up an interface geriatrics service in a seaside area with a large elderly population. Many elderly patients are readmitted due to the challenge of managing their chronic health conditions in the community. These patients are frail, with frequently exacerbated chronic conditions causing regular readmissions. We noted that treatment was rarely changed during these admissions and patients were not uniformly managed. Aims Aims for this project were to improve care for older people, reduce readmissions and produce clear patient care plans. Interventions Our first PDSA cycle involved implementing geriatrician presence at community MDTs (involving social services, GPs, intermediate care teams, and various others). This generated home visits to several patients, with a mix of acute and chronic issues. We offered Advance Care planning where appropriate to these patients. We noted several patients were repeatedly discussed at MDT. This brought into focus frequent attenders who were usually well-known to the community. In the next cycle we introduced ‘frequent attender’ plans for these patients, ensuring a unified approach to their management. Subsequent cycles involved geriatrician presence at the ‘frequent attenders’ steering group, and further links with community teams. Our primary intervention has been Advance care & frequent attender plans offering tailored management for complex patients. These are completed by a geriatrician discussing patients wishes for treatment and future care. Improvements Readmission rates show up to 90% reduction in admissions/ED attendances for patients following care plan implementation. Feedback from families and patients is positive – the service is ‘pragmatic and supportive’, delivering ‘empathetic care’. Discussion Implementing an interface geriatrics service highlights the importance of caring for frail patients in their preferred place of care, reducing unnecessary/inappropriate hospitalisations. Geriatrician presence at community MDTs has improved care by offering prompt access to medical advice and review of complex patients. It highlights patients presenting frequently to services, allowing us to work with patients and families to improve management. A frequent attender list generated by the hospital helps target patients for whom intervention will give significant benefit. We plan to extend this further by working with nursing homes that have high conveyancing rates. The service is being extended to more areas within our region, and we are working with GPs and care homes to further offer advance care planning to vulnerable and frail patients.

Normalising advance care planning in a general medicine service of a tertiary hospital: an exploratory study

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian A. Scott ◽  
Nalaka Rajakaruna ◽  
Darshan Shah ◽  
Leyton Miller ◽  
Elizabeth Reymond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
General Medicine ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Medicine Service ◽  
Advance Care Plan ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
Program Components

Objective The aim of the present study was to develop, implement and explore the effects of a program in advance care planning (ACP) within a tertiary hospital general medicine service. Methods Before–after exploratory mixed-methods analysis was conducted of an ACP program comprising seven components designed to overcome well-documented barriers to ACP in clinical practice. The results of pre-ACP program audits performed in June 2014 were compared with those of post-ACP audits performed over 5 months from July to November 2014. The main outcome measure was the number of advance care plans completed in patients considered eligible for ACP based on a life expectancy of 12 months or less as assessed by two prognostication instruments. Questionnaire surveys ascertained staff perceptions of ACP and the usefulness of training and resources in ACP. Results Pre-ACP program analysis of 166 consecutive patients deemed eligible for ACP revealed that only 1% had a documented advance care plan. Following ACP implementation, 115 of 215 (53%) potentially eligible patients were considered able to participate in ACP discussions and were approached to do so before discharge, of whom 89 (77.4%) completed an advance care plan, whereas 26 (23.6%) declined. This equated to an overall completion rate for all potentially eligible patients of 41% compared to 1% pre-ACP (P < 0.001). Major barriers to ACP perceived by at least 30% of questionnaire respondents included the reluctance of patients and family to discuss ACP, insufficient time to initiate or complete ACP, patient and/or family factors that rendered ACP impractical, inadequate communication skills around end-of-life issues, confusion about who was primarily responsible for conducting ACP and difficulty using ACP documentation forms. Enabling factors included dedicated ACP workshops, facilitator and resource packages for staff, and ACP brochures for patients and family. Conclusion A multifaceted ACP program in a general medicine service led to completion of an advance care plan in more than three of four patients considered eligible for, and who participated in, ACP. However, although program components were tailored to overcome known barriers to ACP, staff indicated ongoing difficulties, with less than half of ACP-eligible patients completing advance care plans. What is known about this topic? Advance care planning is increasingly recognised as an important part of hospital care for older patients with advanced chronic disease. However, research indicates that ACP discussions are rare in hospital settings because of various barriers that are not adequately addressed in the design of ACP programs. What does this paper add? The present exploratory study of the development, implementation and evaluation of an ACP program in a tertiary hospital general medicine service shows that program components designed to overcome specific barriers to ACP discussions was associated with a >75% completion rate of advance care plans among ACP-eligible patients who participated in ACP discussions. Dedicated staff training and resources in ACP, employment of an ACP facilitator and ready access to ACP documentation forms were important enabling strategies. What are the implications for practitioners? Hospital units caring for significant numbers of older patients with limited life expectancy can implement ACP programs that help normalise ACP discussions within routine clinical care.

Utilizing the Electronic Health Record to Improve Advance Care Planning: A Systematic Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 532-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Todd Huber ◽  
Janelle Deneen Highland ◽  
Venkatesan Ram Krishnamoorthi ◽  
Joyce Wing-Yi Tang
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Health Record ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Health Record ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Advance Care Plan ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
Electronic Health

Purpose: Advance care planning may ensure care that is concordant with patient wishes. However, advance care plans are frequently absent when needed due to failure to engage patients in planning, inability to access prior documentation, or poor documentation quality. Interventions utilizing tools within the electronic health record (EHR) may address these barriers at the point of care. We aimed to identify EHR interventions previously utilized to improve advance care plans. Methods: We systematically searched 7 databases for observational and experimental studies of EHR interventions associated with advance care plans. We abstracted information on the study populations, EHR and non-EHR components of the interventions, and the efficacy for advance care plan–related outcomes. Results: We identified 16 articles that contained an EHR intervention to improve advance care plans. Study populations, study designs, and EHR components of the interventions were heterogeneous. Documentation templates were the most common EHR tool reported (n = 8), followed by automated prompts (n = 7) and electronic order sets (n = 5). The most common reported outcomes were documentation of an advance care planning conversation in the EHR (n = 7) and the placement of code status orders (n = 7). All studies reporting efficacy (n = 9) demonstrated an improvement in 1 or more advance care planning outcomes. Conclusions: The use of EHR interventions may improve advance care plan completion and availability at the point of care. Further work should seek to develop and evaluate standardized EHR tools for advance care planning.

Advance care planning for people with dementia: a review

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 1535-1551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Harrison Dening ◽  
Louise Jones ◽  
Elizabeth L. Sampson
Keyword(s):  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Current Evidence Base ◽  
Advance Care

ABSTRACTBackground: Few people with dementia have made advance plans for their health care. Advance care planning (ACP) is a process of discussion between an individual and their care providers that takes account of wishes and preferences for future care. We aimed to examine the facilitators and inhibitors to ACP in people with dementia. We also aimed to identify key themes in the literature and critically review the methodologies used.Methods: We systematically searched the English language literature including PubMed, CINAHL, AMED, PsychINFO, EMBASE and BNI. We included empirical studies which reported the characteristics of the patient population, the type of advance care planning used and the study setting, and which involved people with dementia, family members or professional carers.Results: We identified 17 studies (11 quantitative methods, one qualitative and five mixed methods). We found one ACP intervention which changed outcomes for people with dementia. Key themes were identified: there is a point at which cognition decreases critically so that an advanced care plan can no longer be made; factors present in family carers and professionals can influence decision-making and the ACP process; ACPs are affected by preferences for life sustaining treatments; ACP in dementia may differ from other illness groups; and there is a need for education relating to ACP.Conclusion: The current evidence base for ACP in dementia is limited. Since UK government policy recommends that all people should engage in ACP, more evidence is needed to understand the feasibility and acceptability of advanced care plans for people with dementia.

scholarly journals Assisted Living Administrators’ Approaches to Advance Care Planning

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 66-66
Author(s):  
Elise Abken ◽  
Alexis Bender ◽  
Ann Vandenberg ◽  
Candace Kemp ◽  
Molly Perkins
Keyword(s):  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Staff Training ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
External Support ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
Eol Care

Abstract Assisted living (AL) communities are increasingly home to frail, chronically ill older adults who remain until death. State laws mandate that AL facilities request copies of any advance care planning documents residents have and make forms available upon request. Using secondary data from a larger study funded by the National Institute on Aging (R01AG047408) that focuses on end-of-life (EOL) care in AL, this project investigated barriers and facilitators to conducting advance care planning in AL. Data included in-depth interviews (of 86 minute average length) with 20 administrators from 7 facilities around the Atlanta metropolitan area and aggregate data collected from each facility regarding facility, staff, and resident characteristics. Findings from thematic analysis of qualitative data showed that key barriers to planning in AL included lack of staff training and reluctance among administrators and families to discuss advance care planning and EOL care. Important facilitators included periodic follow-up discussions of residents’ wishes, often during care plan meetings, educating families about the importance of planning, and external support for staff training and family education from agencies such as hospice and home health. Three study facilities exceeded state requirements to request and store documents by systematically encouraging residents to complete documentation. These facilities, whose administrators discuss advance care planning and residents’ EOL wishes with residents and families during regular care plan meetings, were more likely to have planning documents on file, demonstrating the potential of long-term care communities, such as AL, to successfully promote advance care planning among residents and their family members.

scholarly journals ‘It’s almost superstition: If I don’t think about it, it won’t happen’. Public knowledge and attitudes towards advance care planning: A sequential mixed methods study

2021 ◽  
pp. 026921632110158
Author(s):  
Sonja McIlfatrick ◽  
Paul Slater ◽  
Olufikayo Bamidele ◽  
Deborah Muldrew ◽  
Esther Beck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Community Action ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods ◽  
Advance Care

Background: Internationally, participation in advance care planning is low. Whilst a community action approach is advocated, what the public know and understand about advance care planning is unknown. Aim: To assess public awareness, knowledge and attitudes towards advance care planning and identify strategies to raise awareness within a public health framework. Design: Sequential mixed methods comprising a cross-sectional survey and focus group/interviews. Setting/participants: A random representative sample of adults from one region of the United Kingdom ( n = 1201; response rate 56%) completed a face-to-face survey. Twenty-five participants consented to an additional focus group/interview held in a secure accessible location or via telephone. Results: Most participants (78.7%) acknowledged the benefits of advance care planning conversations, however, two thirds did not want to think about advance care planning or find out more at present. Respondents were reluctant to broach advance care planning as it was linked to end of life care and funeral plans, and they did not wish to cause distress to their loved one. Respondents trusted their family to respect their wishes and they considered having an advance care plan in place would be of assistance in the future. Top-down leadership, normalisation, and increased education were identified as potential approaches to overcome barriers. Conclusions: Advance care planning was recognised as important despite limited awareness, lack of knowledge and misperceptions. Whilst a community action approach to enhance understanding and engagement was supported, a ‘one size fits all’ approach will not work; rather bespoke targeting is required with educational and media messaging aligned.

Synchronizing advance directives among patients across a health system.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (29_suppl) ◽  
pp. 233-233
Author(s):  
Sherri Rauenzahn Cervantez ◽  
Sadiyah Hotakey ◽  
Amanda Hernandez ◽  
Stephanie Warren ◽  
Jennifer Quintero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Health System ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Primary Care Clinic ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Palliative Oncology ◽  
Advance Care

233 Background: Advance directives (ADs) are legal tools that direct treatment or decision making and appoint a surrogate decision-maker (health care proxy). The presence of ADs is associated with decreased rates of hospitalization, use of life-sustaining treatment, and deaths in a hospital setting. Additionally, completed ADs lead to increased use of hospice or palliative care, more positive family outcomes, improved quality of life for patients, and reduced costs for healthcare. Despite the benefits of advance care planning, only 18-36% of adults have completed advance care plans. The aims of our pilot study were to 1) implement a synchronized system for advance care planning across the UT Health San Antonio health system and 2) improve advance care planning rates in a primary care clinic and palliative oncology clinic. Methods: During a 10-month prospective period, system processes for advance care planning were reviewed with identification of three primary drivers for advance care plan completion: a) electronic/EMR processes, b) clinical workflows and training, and c) patient resources and education. As a result of this quality improvement initiative, standardized forms, resources, and processes for obtaining advance care plans were implemented in the selected clinics. Results: At baseline, the primary care clinic had 84/644 (13%) patients and the palliative oncology clinic had 25/336(7%) with completed advance care plans. With the implementation of a standardized process, 108 patients (23% increase in rate of completion) in the primary clinic and 56 patients (71% increase in rate of completion) in the palliative oncology setting completed advance care planning (ACP). Additionally, there was a 5-fold increase in billing of ACP CPT codes within the clinics during the first 6 months compared to the prior full year. Conclusions: While this quality improvement pilot initiative was limited to two clinics, the synchronized modifications suggest that the system changes could be expanded to other clinics in our UT health system to promote ACP discussions, completion of plans, and ultimately improved patient care.

Engaging College Undergraduates in Advance Care Planning

2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Sanders ◽  
Erin L. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Health Care Planning ◽  
Medical Decisions ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Advance Care

Advance care planning (ACP) is a critical part of long-term health-care planning, as no one knows when the ability to make personal medical decisions may be impaired. Many assume ACP is only necessary for older adults or those with life-threatening health conditions; however, there are growing discussions about healthy, young adults also engaging in ACP, as they too suffer from unexpected medical events that limit their ability to make medical decisions. The current study examined the reactions of college students following the completion of their advance care plans and then sharing these plans with friends and family. The students reported that while completing their advance care plans created many emotions, they found the experience to be valuable and facilitated conversations with family and friends about end-of-life care that may not have occurred otherwise.

scholarly journals Conversations that count: Advance Care Planning as preventative medicine

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Grundy ◽  
Jane Goodwin ◽  
Elaine McLardy
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Consumer Information ◽  
Health Board ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
District Health ◽  
Awareness Campaign ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Advance Care

Background: Fundamental to the concept of Advance Care Planning (ACP) is empowering individuals and communities to recognise death as an inevitable part of life.Methods: ACP facilitators and clinical champions in the Canterbury region of New Zealand have been very active in engaging the community. This has occurred through consumer presentations, the creation of specific pages on the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) consumer information website (HealthInfo) and support of the National ACP awareness campaign ‘Conversations that Count’.Results: ‘Consumer power’ has been invaluable in driving the uptake of ACP in the CDHB. A survey of 49 GPs in 2015 found many were reluctant to start ACP conversations or felt they ‘did not have time’. The turning point was the realisation that patients are not only wanting but are actively asking to have these important conversations and to create Advance Care Plans (ACPlans). 1200 electronic ACPlans have now now been created in Canterbury, with 80% generated in primary care.The ACP pages on HealthInfo are consistently in the top 20 pages viewed each month which indicates that the community is seeking information and wanting to take control. Uptake and demand for consumer presentations and ‘Conversations that Count’ resources also continues to grow year on year.Discussion: Increased awareness and understanding of ACP gives people the opportunity to think and frame their reasoning, so they are better prepared to have well informed discussions with health care professionals. It helps them be clearer in their mind about their own limits and concerns. It is important for people to consider the question - “what is O.K for me and what isn’t?”. In this context, ACP conversations can be seen as preventative medicine.Patients need to be as well equipped as possible to be active participants in healthcare decisions, especially regarding end of life. Through the ACP process, unnecessary suffering, confusion and conflict can be reduced or prevented and unwanted or  burdensome treatment that is not in line with their goals and priorities can be averted.Conclusion: Valuing and honouring a person’s participation in their health care decision-making is important for all healthcare organisations. Prioritising ACP is an effective way of making this happen. 

The Contribution of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Specialists to Care Planning in Child Care Proceedings

1998 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-138
Author(s):  
Claire Sturge
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Mutual Understanding ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Department Of Health

In September 1997 the President's Interdisciplinary Committee organised a conference to look at issues around Care Planning. As important as the content of the conference was the aim of fostering mutual understanding and the cross-fertilisation of ideas across disciplines. Papers were given by judges, social services directors, guardians, Department of Health representatives, researchers, and child and adolescent mental health specialists. Interdisciplinary workshop discussions followed each paper generating group views and papers. All the papers have just been published as a book (Clarke, 1998).Dominating themes were the question of what, if any, influence the judge can exert over the Care Plan, the possibility of refusing to make a Care Order because of an unsatisfactory Care Plan, the value of the Care Plan and the accuracy of its details as a way of furthering and protecting a child's needs, the uncertainty about the proportion of cases where the Care Plan is altered or abandoned for good or bad reasons or major drift occurs, and ways of improving the quality of Care Plans through interdisciplinary co-operation. Various ways of dealing with these issues were suggested.

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