End-of-Life Care in Acute Care Hospitals in Canada: A Quality Finish?

2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 142-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daren K. Heyland ◽  
Dianne Groll ◽  
Graeme Rocker ◽  
Peter Dodek ◽  
Amiram Gafni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Discharge Planning ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Medical Patients ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Care Improvement ◽  
Eol Care

Understanding patients’ and family members’ perspectives on the relative importance of elements of end-of-life (EOL) care and their satisfaction with those elements will help prioritize quality improvement initiatives. We administered a face-to-face questionnaire containing a selection of 28 elements of care to eligible in patients with advanced lung, heart, or liver disease, or metastatic cancer, and available family caregivers (FCGs) in five tertiary care hospitals across Canada. 440 of 569 (78%) eligible patients and 160 of 176 (91%) FCGs participated. No respondent reported complete satisfaction with all elements of care. The average satisfaction score was 4.6 on a 26 point scale. Medical patients reported lower levels of satisfaction than cancer patients. Elements rated as “extremely important” and anything other than “completely satisfied” most frequently by respondents related to discharge planning, availability of home health services, symptom relief, not being a burden, physician trust, and communication. In conclusion, most patients and their family members in our survey were not completely satisfied with EOL care. Improvement initiatives to target key elements identified by patients and FCGs have the potential to improve satisfaction with EOL care across care settings.

“We Are All Humans and Deserve a Decent Way to Go”: Examining Professional’s Experiences With Providing End-of-Life Care in Correctional Institutions

2021 ◽  
pp. 073401682110208
Author(s):  
Mollee Steely Smith ◽  
Brooke Cooley ◽  
Tusty ten Bensel
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Prison Population ◽  
Correctional Institutions ◽  
Southern State ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Past ◽  
Eol Care ◽  
Emotional Effects

The aging prison population has increased dramatically over the past two decades. As this population increases, correctional institutions are faced with health care challenges. Specifically, providing adequate end-of-life (EOL) care for terminally ill inmates has been a concern. Despite issues relating to providing EOL care, little is known about medical and correctional staff’s attitudes toward the implementation of EOL care. The purpose of this study was to understand the challenges faced by correctional and medical professionals, focusing on job satisfaction, obstacles, and emotional effects of providing EOL care in correctional institutions. Our data included 17 semistructured, face-to-face interviews with medical and correctional staff assigned to the EOL care unit in a southern state. Although the entire sample stated overall satisfaction with their job, participants noted several challenges and stressors, which included the lack of resources and difficulties in balancing care. Participants agreed that it was emotionally stressful to maintain appropriate relationships with the inmates, deal with patient manipulation, and be surrounded by dying and death. Implications are discussed relative to the needs and experiences of service providers and how to more effectively treat EOL inmate patients.

scholarly journals 1081. Use of Antimicrobials at the End of Life (EOL): A Retrospective Cohort Study Analyzing Providers’ Reasons for Prescribing Antimicrobials at the EOL, Their Benefits and Adverse Effects

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S383-S384
Author(s):  
Pooja Vyas ◽  
Prashant Malhotra ◽  
Santiago Lopez ◽  
Bruce Hirsch ◽  
Kayla D Finuf
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Antimicrobial Use ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Tract Infections

Abstract Background Infections are common in terminally ill patients, and although antibiotics are frequently prescribed, their benefit for symptom relief is not clear. Antimicrobials at the end of life (EOL) increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance and Clostridium difficile infection. Very few studies have described the risks and benefits of antimicrobials in patients at EOL. Here, we describe a retrospective chart review of antimicrobial use at EOL. Methods We reviewed electronic medical records of patients admitted in a palliative care unit of a tertiary care hospital between 2017 and 2018 and assessed antimicrobial use in the last 14 days of life. The analysis excluded neutropenic patients. Differences in demographics and symptom control between patients who did or did not receive antibiotics (AB+ or AB−) were analyzed using chi-square analyses; P-values were computed using Mann–Whitney tests. Results Of a total of 133 patients included, 89 (67%) received antimicrobials (AB+); however, the role of antibiotics was documented in only 12% of patients. The AB− and AB+ groups were similar with respect to demographics, including sex, and Charleston Comorbidity Index except for age (table). Documented infections were similar between AB− and AB+ groups, except urinary tract infections. No statistically significant differences were noted in documented symptoms including pain, dyspnea, fever, lethargy, and alteration of mental state or length of stay (LOS). Conclusion Our study did not show differences in frequencies of documented symptoms with use of antimicrobials at EOL. These results indicate that the risks of antimicrobial use may outweigh potential benefits and their use should be a part of goals of care discussions at EOL. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals The Experience of Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders and End-of-Life Care Discussions among Physicians

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6869
Author(s):  
Sheng-Yu Fan ◽  
Jyh-Gang Hsieh
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Hospice Care ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Do Not Resuscitate ◽  
Time Urgency ◽  
Care Surgery ◽  
Eol Care ◽  
Analyze Data

Physicians have a responsibility to discuss do-not-resuscitate (DNR) decisions and end-of-life (EOL) care with patients and family members. The aim of this study was to explore the DNR and EOL care discussion experience among physicians in Taiwan. A qualitative study was conducted with 16 physicians recruited from the departments of hospice care, surgery, internal medicine, emergency, and the intensive care unit. The interview guidelines included their DNR experience and process and EOL care discussions, as well as their concerns, difficulties, or worries in discussions. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Four themes were identified. First, family members had multiple roles in the decision process. Second, the characteristics of the units, including time urgency and relationships with patients and family members, influenced physicians’ work. Third, the process included preparation, exploration, information delivery, barrier solution, and execution. Fourth, physicians shared reflections on their ability and the conflicts between law, medical professionals, and the best interests of patients. Physicians must consider not only patients’ but also family members’ opinions and surmount several barriers in decision-making. They also experienced negative and positive impacts from these discussions.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and end-of-life care.

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (30_suppl) ◽  
pp. 278-278
Author(s):  
Natasha Hunter ◽  
Jamie Erin Potosek ◽  
Rebecca A. Miksad
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Similar Time ◽  
Code Status ◽  
Eol Care

278 Background: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) usually present with incurable tumors and advanced underlying liver disease. Although guidelines exist to assess the quality of end of life (EOL) care for cancer patients, little is known about EOL care for HCC patients. Due to the complexity and multidisciplinary nature of the disease, we hypothesized that EOL care for HCC patients differs from that delivered to other cancer patients and may be heterogenous based on patient characteristics and primary clinician specialty. Methods: We assessed EOL HCC care through medical chart review of 188 consecutive HCC patients treated at an academic tertiary care hospital who died between 2007 and 2013. Based on available data, EOL care and documentation was assessed per published guidelines. Patient, HCC and liver disease characteristics, cancer treatments, symptom burden, and EOL care and documentation was compared by provider specialty. The odds of receiving aggressive EOL care by provider specialty, patient characteristics, and documentation measures were calculated. Using data from the Dartmouth Atlas Project, we compared results with EOL data for cancer patients overall at our institution and nationally during a similar time frame. Results: Fewer HCC patients enrolled in hospice compared with cancer patients overall at our institution, and nationally (36%, 49% and 55%, respectively). In addition, HCC patients spent fewer days on hospice, spent more time in the hospital, and experienced more (and longer) intensive care unit admissions. Compared to those primarily cared for by other specialties, HCC patients seen by an oncologist were more likely to have goals of care (GOC) documentation and to enroll in hospice. Patients never seen by an oncologist were more likely to have a psychiatric illness. English as a non-primary language and code status documentation were among factors associated with more aggressive EOL care. Conclusions: At our institution, EOL care for HCC patients is more aggressive compared to cancer patients overall and nationally. The subset of HCC patients seen by oncology were more likely to meet EOL quality guidelines (GOC documentation and hospice enrollment). A better understanding of EOL practices for HCC may impact multidisciplinary care.

scholarly journals Toward Optimal End-of-Life Care for Patients with Advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Insights from a Multicentre Study

2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 249-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme M Rocker ◽  
Peter M Dodek ◽  
Daren K Heyland ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Eol Care

BACKGROUND: Understanding patients’ needs and perspectives is fundamental to improving end-of-life (EOL) care. However, little is known of what quality care means to patients who have advanced lung disease.OBJECTIVES: To describe ratings of importance and satisfaction with elements of EOL care, informational needs, decision-making preferences, obstacles to a preferred location of death, clinical outcomes, and health care use before and during an index hospital admission for patients who have advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).METHODS: A questionnaire with regard to quality EOL care was administered to patients older than 55 years of age who had advanced medical disease in five Canadian teaching hospitals.RESULTS: For 118 hospitalized patients who had advanced COPD, the following items were rated as extremely important for EOL care: not being kept alive on life support when there is little hope for meaningful recovery (54.9% of respondents), symptom relief (46.6%), provision of care and health services after discharge (40.0%), trust and confidence in physicians (39.7%), and not being a burden on caregivers (39.6%). Compared with patients who had metastatic cancer, patients with COPD had lower (P<0.05) satisfaction with care, interest in information about prognosis, cardiopulmonary resuscitation or mechanical ventilation, and referral rates to palliative care, whereas use of acute care services was higher (P<0.05) for patients who had advanced COPD.CONCLUSION: Canadian patients who have advanced COPD identify several priorities for improving care. Avoidance of prolonged or unwanted life support requires more effective communication, decision making and goal setting. Patients also deserve better symptom control and postdischarge strategies to minimize perceived burdens on caregivers, emergency room visits and hospital admissions.

scholarly journals Physicians’ approach to end of life care: comparison of two tertiary care university hospitals in Lebanon

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
George Dabar ◽  
Imad Bou Akl ◽  
Mirella Sader
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Medical Culture ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
American University ◽  
American University Of Beirut ◽  
European Training ◽  
Eol Care ◽  
Attending Physicians

Abstract Background The care of terminally ill patients is fraught with ethical and medical dilemmas carried by healthcare professionals. The present study aims to explore the approaches of Lebanese attending physicians towards palliative care, end of life (EOL) care, and patient management in two tertiary care university hospitals with distinct medical culture. Methods Four hundred attending physicians from the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) and Hotel Dieu de France (HDF) were recruited. Participants were Medical Doctors in direct contact with adult patients that could be subject to EOL situations providing relevant demographic, educational, religious as well as personal, medical or patient-centric data. Results The majority of physicians in both establishments were previously exposed to life-limiting decisions but remains uncomfortable with the decision to stop or limit resuscitation. However, physicians with an American training (AUBMC) were significantly more likely to exhibit readiness to initiate and discuss DNR with patients (p<0.0001). While the paternalistic medicinal approach was prevalent in both groups, physicians with a European training (HDF) more often excluded patient involvement based on family preference (p<0.0001) or to spare them from a traumatic situation (p=0.003). The majority of respondents reported that previous directives from the patient were fundamental to life-limiting decisions. However, the influence of patient and medical factors (e.g. culture, religion, life expectancy, age, socioeconomic status) was evidenced in the HDF group. Conclusion Early physician-initiated EOL discussions remain challenged in Lebanon. Paternalistic attitudes limit shared decision making and are most evident in European-trained physicians. Establishing a sound and effective framework providing legal, ethical and religious guidance is thus needed in Lebanon.

scholarly journals Family Conflict and Older Chinese Americans’ Self-Efficacy in End-of-Life Care Planning: The Role of Acculturation

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 572-572
Author(s):  
Kaipeng Wang ◽  
Fei Sun ◽  
Yanqin Liu ◽  
Carson de Fries
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Family Conflict ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Chinese Americans ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Older Chinese ◽  
Eol Care ◽  
Older Chinese Americans

Abstract Family involvement in end-of-life (EOL) care is critical to ensure older adults’ health and quality of life. Older adults’ self-efficacy in discussing EOL care plans with family members can facilitate family involvement in EOL care planning. Research shows that family relationships are associated with self-efficacy in discussing EOL care with family members among older Chinese Americans. However, the roles of family conflict and acculturation remain unknown. This study examines the association between family conflict and self-efficacy in discussing EOL care with family members and whether such an association differs by acculturation levels among older Chinese Americans. Data were collected from 207 Chinese Americans aged 65-102 in two metropolitan areas in 2017. Ordinary least squares regression was conducted to examine the association between family conflict, acculturation, and self-efficacy in discussing EOL care with family. Family conflict was negatively associated with older adults’ self-efficacy in discussing EOL care with family. More specifically, the negative association between family conflict and self-efficacy in discussing EOL care with family members was more pronounced for those with higher levels of acculturation. Findings highlighted differential effects of family conflict on self-efficacy of EOL care plan discussion for older adults with different acculturation levels. Those with higher acculturation may be more independent in their EOL care planning and aware of the possible negative effects of family conflict in their EOL care planning discussions. Acculturation needs to be considered by geriatric health providers to develop family-centered interventions in improving end-of-life care planning for this population.

Palliative Care Consultation and Associated End-of-Life Care After Pacemaker or Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Deactivation

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (10) ◽  
pp. 966-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario Pasalic ◽  
Halena M. Gazelka ◽  
Rachel J. Topazian ◽  
Lillian C. Buchhalter ◽  
Abigale L. Ottenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Medical Decisions ◽  
Cardiac Pacemakers ◽  
Cardiac Devices ◽  
Palliative Care Consultation ◽  
Care Consultation ◽  
Eol Care

The presence of cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators complicates making end-of-life (EOL) medical decisions. Palliative care/medicine consultation (PCMC) may benefit patients and primary providers, but data are lacking. We retrospectively reviewed 150 charts of patients who underwent device deactivation at our tertiary care center (between November 1, 2008, and September 1, 2012), assessing for PCMC and outcomes. Overall, 42% of patients received a PCMC, and 68% of those PCMCs specifically addressed device deactivation. Median survival following deactivation was 2 days, with 42% of deaths occurring within 1 day of deactivation. There was no difference in survival between the groups. The EOL care for patients with implanted cardiac devices is complex, but PCMC may assist with symptom management and clarification of goals of care for such patients.

A Retrospective Study Analyzing the Lack of Symptom Benefit With Antimicrobials at the End of Life

2020 ◽  
pp. 104990912095174
Author(s):  
Santiago Lopez ◽  
Pooja Vyas ◽  
Prashant Malhotra ◽  
Kayla Finuf ◽  
Christopher Magalee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Electronic Medical Records ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Comorbidity Index ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Eol Care

Background: Infections are common in terminally ill patients (pts), and although antibiotics are frequently prescribed, their benefit for symptom relief is not clear. Antimicrobials at the end of life (EOL) may increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance and Clostrioides difficile infection. Our aim was to determine the frequency of symptom occurrence at the EOL when comparing pts who did or did not receive antibiotics (AB+ or AB-). Methods: We reviewed electronic medical records of pts admitted to a palliative care unit of a quarternary care hospital between 01/09/2017 and 07/16/2017 and assessed antimicrobial use in the last 14 days of life. Differences in demographics and symptom control between AB+ and AB- pts were analyzed using chi-square analyses; p-values were computed using Mann-Whitney tests. Results: Of a total of 133 pts included, 90 (68%) received antimicrobials (AB+). The indication for antibiotics was documented in only 12% of pts. The AB+ and AB- groups were similar with respect to demographics, including sex, and Charleston Comorbidity Index except for age (p = 0.01) and race (p = 0.03). Documented infections were similar between AB+ and AB- groups, except urinary tract infections. No statistically significant differences were noted in documented symptoms including pain, dyspnea, fever, lethargy, and alteration of mental state or length of stay. Conclusion: Our study did not show differences in frequencies of documented symptoms with use of antimicrobials at EOL. Antimicrobial stewardship programs and further research can help with developing EOL care antimicrobial guidelines supporting patients and providers through shared decision-making.

scholarly journals Nurses’ knowledge of law at the end of life and implications for practice: A qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 524-532
Author(s):  
Lindy Willmott ◽  
Ben White ◽  
Patsy Yates ◽  
Geoffrey Mitchell ◽  
David C Currow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Criminal Liability ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Nurses Knowledge

Background: Some patients do not receive adequate pain and symptom relief at the end of life, causing distress to patients, families and healthcare professionals. It is unclear whether undertreatment of symptoms occurs, in part, because of nurses’ concerns about legal and/or disciplinary repercussions if the patient dies after medication is administered. Aim: The aim was to explore nurses’ experiences and knowledge of the law relating to the provision of end-of-life pain and symptom relief. Design: Semi-structured interviews with nurses were assessed using a six-stage hybrid thematic analysis technique. Setting/participants: Four face-to-face and 21 telephone interviews were conducted with nurses who routinely prescribed and/or administered pain and symptom relief to patients approaching the end of their lives in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. Results: While many nurses had no personal experiences with legal or professional repercussions after a patient had died, the fear of hastening death and being held accountable was frequently discussed and regarded as relevant to the provision of inadequate pain and symptom relief. Concerns included potential civil or criminal liability and losing one’s job, registration or reputation. Two-thirds of participants believed that pain relief was sometimes withheld because of these legal concerns. Less than half of the interviewed nurses demonstrated knowledge of the doctrine of double effect, the legal protection for health professionals who provide end-of-life pain and symptom relief. Conclusion: Education is urgently required to strengthen nurses’ knowledge of the legal protections supporting the provision of appropriate palliative medication, thereby improving their clinical practice with end-of-life patients.

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