Reducing patient suffering and preventing readmissions via supportive care screening: The James Cancer Hospital supportive-care screening model.

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 33-33
Author(s):  
Sharla Wells-Di Gregorio ◽  
Alexandra Zaleta ◽  
Emily Porensky ◽  
Lisa Graham ◽  
Kelly McDowell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Phase Ii ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Distress Screening ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Screening Model ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Cancer Hospital

33 Background: Hospital admissions create physical, financial and emotional stress for oncology patients. Hospital avoidable readmissions are considered a marker of poorer quality patient care. To reduce readmissions, cancer hospitals must understand modifiable readmission risk factors AND establish screening systems to triage at-risk patients to outpatient palliative/supportive care services. The James Cancer Hospital is in Phase II development of a model to reduce patient suffering and readmission via the James Supportive Care Screening (JSCS), a 48-item validated clinical-research instrument. Methods: In 2013, the James Cancer Hospital began implementation of Supportive Care Screening to meet Standard 3.2 (Psychosocial Distress Screening) of the Commission on Cancer. The JSCS asks patients to rate distress in six palliative care domains including emotional concerns, physical symptoms, social/practical problems, spiritual problems, cognitive concerns, and healthcare decision-making/communication issues. Between January 2011 and December 2013, one-thousand and one patients completed the JSCS in the Outpatient Palliative Care clinic. During this period, 57 patients had at least one readmission. Hierarchical linear regression was used to predict the number of future readmissions with JSCS subscales as independent variables. Results: The overall model predicting readmissions was significant, F(7,959) = 37.074, p<.001. Time to readmission, physical symptoms, emotional concerns, spiritual concerns, and social concerns were significant predictors of patient readmission. We are currently examining palliative care outcomes in these domains and have found that outpatient palliative care significantly reduces suffering related to physical and emotional distress. Conclusions: Supportive care screening, can serve to reduce oncology readmissions and prevent patient suffering in six key palliative domains. During Phase II of the James Supportive Care Screening Model, we have identified several problem areas targeted to reduce readmissions and improve patient self-reported outcomes.

Symptom Assessment and Early Access to Supportive and Palliative Care for Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors in Mexico

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirza Jacqueline Alcalde-Castro ◽  
Enrique Soto-Perez-de-Celis ◽  
Alfredo Covarrubias-Gómez ◽  
Sofía Sánchez-Román ◽  
Paulina Quiróz-Friedman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Solid Tumors ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Symptom Assessment ◽  
First Year ◽  
Advanced Solid Tumors ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Oncology Care

Background: Early specialized palliative care improves quality of life of patients with advanced cancer, and guidelines encourage its integration into standard oncology care. However, many patients fail to obtain timely palliative/supportive care evaluations, particularly in limited-resource settings. We aimed to determine the proportion of patients with advanced cancer who received an assessment of symptoms and were referred to supportive and palliative care services during the first year after diagnosis in a Mexican hospital. Methods: Individuals with newly diagnosed advanced solid tumors and 1 year of follow-up at the oncology clinics in the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran in Mexico City from October 2015 to April 2016 were included in this retrospective study. Results: Seventy-seven patients were included. Forty-two (54.5%) were referred to the various supportive care services during the first year after diagnosis, and 23 (29.8%) were referred to the palliative care clinic. The most commonly assessed symptoms by oncologists were pain (77.9%), anorexia (74.0%), fatigue (68.8%), and nausea (55.8%), while depression/anxiety were evaluated in 10 (12.9%) patients. The oncologist offered to clarify treatment goals in 39 (50.6%) cases and evaluated the understanding of diagnosis/illness and prognosis in 22 (28.5%). Conclusion: Palliative and supportive care services were widely underutilized, which may be related to a lack of standardized symptom assessments and poor end-of-life communication. Novel strategies are needed to improve the implementation of tools for systematic symptom assessment and to optimize the integration of supportive care interventions into oncology care in developing countries.

Seventeen years of progress for supportive care services: A resurvey of National Cancer Institute–designated comprehensive cancer centers

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 917-925 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila L. Hammer ◽  
Karen Clark ◽  
Marcia Grant ◽  
Matthew J. Loscalzo
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
National Cancer Institute ◽  
Advisory Council ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Distress Screening ◽  
Cancer Centers ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Centers ◽  
Question Survey

AbstractObjective:We replicated a 1994 study that surveyed the state of supportive care services due to changes in the field and the increased need for such services. We provide an updated assessment, comparing the changes that have occurred and describing the current status of supportive care services in comprehensive cancer settings.Method:We used Coluzzi and colleague's 60-question survey from their 1995 Journal of Clinical Oncology article to frame the 98-question survey employed in the current study. Medical and palliative care directors for the 2011 National Cancer Institute (NCI) comprehensive cancer centers were surveyed regarding their supportive care services and their subjective review of the overall effectiveness of the services provided.Results:We achieved a 76% response rate (n = 31). The data revealed increases in the number of cancer beds in the hospitals, the degree of integration of supportive care services, the availability of complementary services, and the number of pain and palliative care services offered. There was also an overall shift toward centers becoming more patient centered, as 65% reported now having a patient and family advisory council. Our findings revealed a growing trend to offer distress screening for both outpatients and inpatients. Medical and palliative care directors' evaluations of the supportive care services they offered also significantly improved. However, the results revealed an ongoing gap in services for end-of-life care and timely referrals for hospice services.Significance of results:Overall, both the quantity and quality of supportive care services in the surveyed NCI-designated cancer centers has improved.

Phase II Study of an Outpatient Palliative Care Intervention in Patients With Metastatic Cancer

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Follwell ◽  
Debika Burman ◽  
Lisa W. Le ◽  
Kristina Wakimoto ◽  
Dori Seccareccia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Phase Ii ◽  
Phase Ii Study ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Family Satisfaction ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale ◽  
The Mean

Purpose Although there is increasing advocacy for timely symptom control in patients with cancer, few studies have assessed outpatient palliative care clinics. This study assessed prospectively the efficacy of an Oncology Palliative Care Clinic (OPCC) in improving patient symptom distress and satisfaction. Patients and Methods Eligible patients were new referrals to an OPCC, had metastatic cancer, were at least 18 years old, and were well enough and able to speak and read English sufficiently to provide informed consent and complete questionnaires. Patients received a consultation by a palliative care team. The primary end points of symptom control and patient satisfaction were assessed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and patient-adapted Family Satisfaction with Advanced Cancer Care (FAMCARE) scale at baseline, 1 week, and 1 month. Initial and follow-up scores were compared using paired t tests. Results Of 150 patients enrolled, 123 completed 1-week assessments, and 88 completed 4-week assessments. At baseline, the mean ESAS Distress Score (EDS) was 39.5. The mean improvement in EDS was 8.8 points (P < .0001) at 1 week and 7.0 points (P < .0001) at 1 month. Statistically significant improvements were observed for pain, fatigue, nausea, depression, anxiety, drowsiness, appetite, dyspnea, insomnia, and constipation at 1 week (all P ≤ .005) and 1 month (all P ≤ .05). The mean improvement in FAMCARE score was 6.1 points (P < .0001) at 1 week and 5.0 points (P < .0001) at 1 month. Conclusion This phase II study demonstrates efficacy of an OPCC for improvement of symptom control and patient satisfaction with care. Randomized controlled trials are indicated to further evaluate the effectiveness of specialized outpatient palliative care.

Integration and expansion of palliative care work force.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 126-126
Author(s):  
Lynn Bowlby ◽  
Robin Turner ◽  
David Casarett ◽  
Fred Johnson ◽  
Ebony Boulware ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Faculty Member ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Fellowship Training ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Intensive Training ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Palliative Care Services

126 Background: The specialty of Hospice and Palliative Medicine has grown out of the need for care of patients who are living longer with cancer and other serious illness and struggle with symptoms, decisions and care. Cancer patients and others often do not have access to Palliative Care services due to availability or accessibility of PC services. Since 2012, fellowship training is required for board eligibility but available programs do not meet the workforce need. As described by Weissman and Meier, viewing Palliative care services in the context of a primary, secondary or tertiary focus , allows for the expansion of these services outside of the traditional fellowship training. With additional intensive training, it is possible that experienced physicians can fill workforce gaps by providing primary palliative care in the providers practice area such as a clinic. Methods: The faculty member who will participate in a yearlong training program based in the Palliative Care Clinic is the Director of the Outpatient Clinic. This clinic is the center of the Duke resident ambulatory experience for the duration of their training. The complexity of these patients is high and often the DOC is the only place that these patients receive care. The Palliative Care training program will provide the faculty member the opportunity to see patients in the cancer center with board certified palliative care physicians. There will be 3 areas of focus for the trainee: clinical experience, didactic information and mentorship from a board certified palliative care provider around faculty identified cases from her own practice. Results: We have developed a yearlong intensive training program for experienced faculty to gain skills in Palliative Care. Conclusions: 1. It is hoped that this will allow for integration of primary palliative care into patient care areas where there is no formal palliative care program. 2. Integration of Palliative Care principles in the clinic to address symptoms of chronic severe illness as well as difficult conversations with more confidence and skill. 3. Earlier palliative care management–develop a systematic approach to assessing needs in high risk populations ie. Hospital Discharge reviews, now commonly done at the clinic.

Comparability of the Cancer Supportive Care Clinical Studies Collaborative (CSCCSC) study population to national referrals to other specialist palliative care services.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (34_suppl) ◽  
pp. 63-63
Author(s):  
David Christopher Currow ◽  
Hiromichi Matsuoka ◽  
Samuel Allingham ◽  
Belinda Fazekas ◽  
Linda Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Trial Participation ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Palliative Care Services

63 Background: There are no agreed national nor international criteria for referral to palliative care. Key population characteristics have been defined to aid the generalizability of research findings in palliative care clinical studies. To codify differences in key demographic factors between patients with cancer participating in the Australian national Cancer Supportive Care Clinical Studies Collaborative (CSCCSC) phase III symptom control studies and the population referred to other Australian palliative care services. Methods: This study compares two contemporaneous consecutive cohorts generated through clinical trial participation and the national palliative care clinical quality improvement registry in Australia. Age, sex, cancer diagnosis, language, and socio-economic status were compared. Results: Cohorts were people with cancer: enrolled in CSCCSC phase III clinical studies (n=902; 17 sites); and registered by the Australian national Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration (PCOC; n=75,240; 117 sites). Participants in CSCCSC studies were younger than those of PCOC (median 71 (IQR 62, 79) versus median 73 (IQR 63, 81); p=0.003 respectively). There was no significant difference in sex (p=0.483). Patients who spoke English accounted 95.0% of enrollees in the CSCCSC group and 92.2% in the PCOC group (p = 0.004). Clinical study participants had higher socioeconomic status that the PCOC group (p=0.022). Conclusions: Overall, the slightly different demographic patterns are reflective of the differences often seen between phase III trials and the populations to whom the results will be applied. Age differences particularly need to be taken into account when considering the best way to apply each study’s findings.

Using a supportive care framework to understand and improve palliative care among cancer patients in Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Busolo ◽  
Roberta L. Woodgate
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Research Education ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Palliative Care Services

ABSTRACTObjective:Cancer incidence and mortality are increasing in Africa, which is leading to greater demands for palliative care. There has been little progress in terms of research, pain management, and policies related to palliative care. Palliative care in Africa is scarce and scattered, with most African nations lacking the basic services. To address these needs, a guiding framework that identifies care needs and directs palliative care services could be utilized. Therefore, using the supportive care framework developed by Fitch (Fitch, 2009), we here review the literature on palliative care for patients diagnosed with cancer in Africa and make recommendations for improvement.Method:The PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, Social Sciences Citation Index, and Medline databases were searched. Some 25 English articles on research from African countries published between 2004 and 2014 were selected and reviewed. The reviewed literature was analyzed and presented using the domains of the supportive care framework.Results:Palliative care patients with cancer in Africa, their families, and caregivers experience increasing psychological, physical, social, spiritual, emotional, informational, and practical needs. Care needs are often inadequately addressed because of a lack of awareness as well as deficient and scattered palliative care services and resources. In addition, there is sparse research, education, and policies that address the dire situation in palliative care.Significance of Results:Our review findings add to the existing body of knowledge demonstrating that palliative care patients with cancer in Africa experience disturbing care needs in all domains of the supportive care framework. To better assess and address these needs, holistic palliative care that is multidomain and multi-professional could be utilized. This approach needs to be individualized and to offer better access to services and information. In addition, research, education, and policies around palliative care for cancer patients in Africa could be more comprehensive if they were based on the domains of the supportive care framework.

PathWell: The development of a triage center and access hub for comprehensive palliative care in oncology.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (26_suppl) ◽  
pp. 162-162
Author(s):  
Kavitha Ramchandran ◽  
Erika Lauren Tribett ◽  
Marcy Winget ◽  
LaTisha Webster ◽  
Dorothy Valmayor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Patient Needs ◽  
Supportive Services ◽  
Distress Screening ◽  
Oncology Nurse ◽  
Early Access ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Quality Cancer Care ◽  
Tumor Boards

162 Background: Routine screening to identify palliative care (PC) needs, followed by assessment and management of needs is critical for high-quality cancer care. Our current healthcare system there is poor screening for PC needs, low referral rates to PC services, and unmet needs. In response to these gaps, we developed a dedicated triage center to streamline the assessment of PC needs and better connect patients with appropriate supportive care services. Methods: We identified 24 services at our academic cancer center that provide PC and supportive services. Examples include PC, psycho-oncology, survivorship, nutrition, and social work. Representatives from these groups convened to map service overlap and develop referral structures based on patient need and acuity. A triage hub (PathWell) was established to complete uniform assessments of patient needs and determine appropriate referrals. The hub utilized a centralized scheduling platform, new patient coordinators, and an oncology nurse for assessment and triage. Referrals to the hub were made via EHR, direct patient contact, or prompted by routine distress screening. Results: PathWell launched on February 1, 2016. Referral volume to the hub was 54 in February, 91 in March and 74 in April. Referrals from PathWell were distributed amongst the 24 services, the majority of referrals going to PC, psycho-oncology and nutrition. All programs that were part of the triage center experienced growth in volume; PC 41%, psycho-oncology 14%, nutrition 16%. Conclusions: Partnerships between specialist services and dedicated triage staff can improve early access to resources for PC needs. Early data from PathWell reveals improved assessment and management of patient needs via referrals to appropriate services. The hub has also unveiled important resource gaps (e.g. physical therapy, integrative medicine). These gaps were not previously quantified, and thus not prioritized by leadership. Future state for PathWell includes reporting operational and health-related outcomes, optimizing distress screening, establishing care pathways for patient subtypes (e.g., metastatic disease), and hosting interdisciplinary tumor boards for complex distress management.

Simultaneous Care clinic (SCC): A three-year monoinstituional experience.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 169-169
Author(s):  
Silvia Stragliotto ◽  
Antonella Brunello ◽  
Sara Galuppo ◽  
Sabina Murgioni ◽  
Vincenzo Dadduzio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Home Care Services ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Nutritional Evaluation ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Oncological Treatment ◽  
Care Services

169 Background: Early palliative care has been shown to improve outcomes in pts with advanced cancer. In accordance with ASCO and AIOM recommendations of implementing palliative care early for pts with metastatic cancer along with active cancer treatment a SCC was set up at Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV) in Padova since 2014; Methods: Data of pts referred to the SCC from Mar 2014 to Nov 2016 were retrieved from a prospectively maintained database. Data collected included cancer type, status of disease, PS, ongoing oncological treatment, psychological evaluation, social evaluation, nutritional evaluation, activation of home territorial services and/or Palliative Care services, use of other health services after a first visit and place of death; Results: 533 pts were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team. Overall symptom burden was low with baseline symptom scores highest for fatigue, lack of appetite and depression. Nutritional evaluation revealed 224 pts (42%) with nutritional problems, the most frequent being weight loss (n = 121). Psychological distress was present in 185 pts (35%). Social issues were present in 26 pts (5%) and were dealt with activation of social services (n = 9) or volunteer territorial services (n = 8). Patients deemed in need of home care services after the first access to the SCC were 177 (33%) and for these a formal request for Home Care services activation was sent to the Local Health Territorial Unit. After the first visit 141 patients referred to Emergency Room for intervening problems with median time of 41 days. Globally 290 pts (54%) died with 53% of deaths occurring at home. For pts who were receiving active oncological treatment median time from first-visit in the SCC and death was 126 days. We are also evaluating a score for priority for access to SCC; Conclusions: Early integrated SC may be most effective if targeted to the specific needs of each patient population

Implementation of a multidisciplinary palliative and supportive care education lecture series.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 144-144
Author(s):  
Shawna Chan ◽  
Solomon Liao ◽  
Leslie M. Randall ◽  
Aaron Kheriaty ◽  
Rakhi Dayal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Cultural Considerations ◽  
Lecture Series ◽  
Communication Goals ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
Clinical Departments

144 Background: Nationwide surveys of residents including those in oncologic specialties reveal that trainees perceive their palliative and supportive care (PSC) educational curriculum as inadequate. For residents, PSC education varies from none at all to an organized department lecture series given by Palliative Medicine physicians. There have been no published experiences of institutional wide PSC lecture series open to all residents, fellows, and medical students. Methods: We piloted a monthly palliative care lecture series from August 2016 to June 2017 at UC Irvine. 12 physicians from 9 clinical departments provided monthly lectures on management of physical symptoms, psychosocial issues, cultural considerations, spiritual needs, care coordination, ethical/legal issues, communication/goals of care, and advance care planning. Lectures were advertised in advance to program directors and emails were sent the week prior to all trainees. At the end of each lecture, attendees were given a voluntary survey that consisted of 10 questions on self-perceived competency in PSC skills and 4 questions on attitudes toward PSC. Results: 143 (45 medical students, 98 residents) responses were received. Most residents (90.8%) and medical students (84.4%) viewed palliative care as an important competency. Only 16 responses from heme/onc, radiation, and gynecology oncology residents and fellows were received, comprising 11.2% of total responses. Residents characterized themselves as “not at all/minimally/somewhat confident” in their ability to care for patients with PSC issues in the following areas: management of opioids (44.2%), fatigue (82.7%), anorexia (79.6%), depression (65.3%), and prognostication (75.5%) Medical students characterized themselves as “not at all/minimally/somewhat confident” in the following areas: management of opioids (79.3%), fatigue (86.7%), anorexia (91.1%), depression (71.1%), and prognostication (91.1%). Conclusions: These findings suggest a need to further improve domains of palliative care training in residency programs and identify innovative ways to increase participation of residents and fellows from all oncologic specialties.

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