Embedding palliative care into bone marrow transplantation clinic.

157 Background: Stem cell/bone marrow transplantation (SC/BMT) is intensive therapy that creates the potential for a number of physical and emotional symptoms. Despite the symptom burden and support needs of these patients there are no publications describing palliative care involvement in the course of treatment. Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed on 37 patients followed over a 6-month period by a palliative care service embedded within the SC/BMT clinic. Results: 37 patients were referred by SC/BMT clinic physicians or nurses to a palliative care team embedded within the clinic (including a physician, physical therapist, and psychologist). Almost all patients were referred for symptom management rather than goals of care; only three (9%) died during the review period and for none of them was the reason for consultation goals of care/hospice referral. Patients were seen between once and eight times during the six month period by various members of the team. Most (77%) were allogenic transplant patients and most were seen within 6 months of their transplantation. The most common reasons for referral were fatigue (57%), anorexia (27%), pain (38%) and depression and/or anxiety (35%). At initial assessment the highest-rated symptoms were lack of appetite (mean 4.78, SD 3.08), fatigue (4.51 [2.59]), and diminished feeling of well-being (4.16, [2.51]). At initial assessment, 73% of patients had 3 or more different symptoms that they rated at 4+; this dropped to 39.1% at follow-up (n = 23). Of the 9 symptoms assessed at both initial and follow-up visits, 7 decreased significantly (all but fatigue and dyspnea) and none increased. For example appetite improved from 5.52 (2.98) to 3.13 (2.96); pain improved from 3.52 (2.92) to 1.78 (1.88) (n = 23, p < .01). SC/BMT providers requested an expansion of the service after three months of experience. Conclusions: Patients who have undergone SC/BMT experience many physical and emotional symptoms. Palliative care embedded within the bone marrow transplant clinic can provide benefit by lessening the symptomatic burden of patients.