Comparison of palliative care for lung cancer patients (pts) at two Veteran Affairs Medical Centers.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e21621-e21621
Author(s):  
Sejal Kothadia ◽  
Zhen Wang ◽  
Sarah Lee ◽  
Victor Tsu-Shih Chang ◽  
Yeun-Hee Anna Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Lung Cancer Patients ◽  
Medical Centers

e21621 Background: Palliative and end of life care is essential for lung cancer pts. We examined palliative care delivery for lung cancer pts at 2 VA medical centers. Methods: In an IRB approved protocol, we reviewed medical records of matched pts diagnosed with liver or lung cancer between 2006 and 2012 who were seen by palliative care at 2 VA medical centers (S1, S2). Veterans were compared by 1) demographics, 2) palliative interventions, and 3) outcomes: ED visit within 1 month (mo) of death, ED visit within 6 mo of death, and ICU within 30 days of death. Analyses were performed with SAS Studio Version 3.5. Results: We analyzed 69 male pts (29 at S1and 40 at S2), with a mean age of 63 and 66 years respectively. Thirty (43%) pts were Caucasian and 39 (56.5%) African American. Cancer stages were I (1%), Stage II (3%), Stage III0 (29%), Stage IV (58%), and unknown (8%). Median Karnofsky performance status was 60%. By site, differences were seen in DNR/DNI (S1, S2) [ 21 (72%), 12 (30%) p = 0.0007). For palliative care interventions, significant differences were seen in treatments for pain (S1, S2) [17 (59%), 37 (93%) p = 0.0011], constipation (S1, S2) [10 (34%), 35 (88%) p < 0.0001], and dyspnea (S1, S2) [8 (28%), 29 (73%) p = 0.0003], but not for holding goals of care discussions. We observed differences between sites in evaluations by palliative social work (S1, S2) [15 (51%), 39 (98%) p < 0.0001], mental health (S1, S2) [21 (88%), 10 (25%) p < 0.0001], and chaplain visits (S1, S2) [ 19 (66%), 36 (90%) p = 0.0167]. Finally with outcome, there was a difference between consultations by other medical specialties (S1, S2) [ 19 (66%), 39 (98), p = 0.0005] but not for ED visits, admissions, procedures or ICU stays at the end of life . Conclusions: There are site specific differences between VA medical centers and may reflect local practice patterns, Additional sites should be studied.

OP456 Encouraging Shared Decision-Making Of Goals Of Care Discussions In Lung Cancer Patients Using A Smartphone Application

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (S1) ◽  
pp. 17-17
Author(s):  
Amanda Lovato ◽  
Nisha Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Quality Improvement Initiative ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Goals Of Care ◽  
Lung Cancer Patients

IntroductionAn important reason for receiving non-beneficial treatment at end-of life is the lack of timely discussions on goals of care and end-of-life preferences. A recent randomized clinical trial demonstrated that patients primed with a questionnaire on their end-of-life preferences were more likely to initiate such conversations with their doctors. Our objective is to integrate the questionnaire into a smartphone application to facilitate early goals of care discussions. To achieve this goal, we first plan to undertake a feasibility study to understand stakeholder preferences.MethodsAs part of a quality improvement initiative at our Canadian quaternary-care hospital, we conducted focus groups with oncology and palliative care physicians and patients to understand barriers to early conversations on end-of-life preferences, and to assess feasibility of using smartphone technology in facilitating these conversations. The app would integrate a questionnaire to patients and send prompts to physicians on patient readiness and timing of conversations.ResultsWe conducted separate focus groups with lung cancer patients (n = 6) and clinicians in oncology (n = 6) and palliative care (n = 6). Clinical teams expressed enthusiasm about early conversations but raised several barriers including system (lack of electronic documentation and access to data; multiple physicians), clinician (lack of time) and patient (stigma associated with end-of-life) barriers. Clinicians agreed that an app could overcome some of these barriers such as access to patient and electronic data by making patients the repository of all their data and empowering them to initiate discussions. However, they raised concerns about universal accessibility of such technology, especially among the elderly. Patient focus groups will take place in March 2021 and inform us on feasibility in this population.ConclusionsThere is a consensus among physicians at our hospital that early end-of-life conversations have the potential to mitigate adverse events and that use of a smart phone app could facilitate such conversations.

Clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in lung cancer patients under the age of 45.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e17508-e17508
Author(s):  
Nektaria Makrilia ◽  
Alexios S Strimpakos ◽  
Ioannis Gkiozos ◽  
Kostas N Syrigos
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Chronic Hepatitis ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Primary Lung Cancer ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Great Loss ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Lung Cancer Patients ◽  
Tertiary Center

e17508 Background: Lung cancer remains uncommon among young adults but it causes great loss of life expectancy in this age group. The definition of young age varies in the published studies from 40 to 50 years of age. Methods: Our aim was to assess whether patients diagnosed at young ages have unique clinicopathological and prognostic characteristics. We retrospectively reviewed records of patients aged 45 or younger who were treated for primary lung cancer at a large tertiary center between June 2003 and June 2011. Results: 2,651 patients with lung cancer were screened of whom 73 (2.8%) were aged ≤45. The male-to-female ratio was 1.6:1 and the median age at diagnosis was 42. 89% of patients were smokers. Performance status (PS) was 0, 1 and 2 in 61%, 29% and 10% of patients, respectively. The most common histological types were adenocarcinoma (47%), small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) (18%) and squamous cell carcinoma (18%). The median time elapsing between beginning of symptoms and diagnosis was 3 months. Chronic hepatitis B or C was mentioned in the medical history of 5/13 (38%) SCLC patients, whereas it was present in 4/60 NSCLC patients under 45 (p=0.008) and in 16/518 SCLC patients over the age of 45 (p<0.0001). Patients were diagnosed with stages I, II, III and IV in 2 (3%), 11 (18%), 13 (22%) and 34 (57%) of NSCLC cases, respectively, whereas 7 of 13 (54%) SCLC patients were diagnosed with limited disease. The median overall survival was 21 months and multivariate analysis indicated that PS and time until diagnosis were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: Although more than half of young patients are at stage IV when diagnosed, prognosis does not seem as dismal as previously considered. Larger studies need to be conducted in order to elucidate the possible role of chronic hepatitis in the pathogenesis of SCLC in young patients.

A comparison of liver cancer and lung cancer patients at two Veteran Affairs Medical Centers.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e21642-e21642
Author(s):  
Sejal Kothadia ◽  
Zhen Wang ◽  
Sarah Lee ◽  
Victor Tsu-Shih Chang ◽  
Yucai Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Liver Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Palliative Care Service ◽  
Pooled Analysis ◽  
Lung Cancer Patients ◽  
Medical Centers ◽  
Symptom Prevalence

e21642 Background: Little is known about palliative care for liver cancer. In this study, we examined palliative care for liver cancer and lung cancer patients. Methods: In an IRB approved protocol, we reviewed medical records of patients diagnosed with liver cancer who were seen by the palliative care service between 2006 and 2012 at 2 VA medical centers, and matched them to patients with lung cancer by year, KPS, and stage. Veterans were compared by symptom prevalence with the CMSAS and by palliative care interventions. Statistical analyses were performed with SAS Studio Version 3.5. Results: We analyzed a total of 138 male patients at 2 VA centers; 69 with lung cancer and 69 with liver cancer. The mean age in both groups was 65 years and 60% of patients self-identified as a minority. There was a high prevalence of symptoms in both groups. Symptom prevalence differed significantly between liver and lung cancer pts for weight loss and dyspnea at one site, and for feeling drowsy, constipation, at the other site. These differences disappeared in a pooled analysis. During palliative care evaluation, more lung cancer patients received treatment for constipation (n = 44 in lung, 29 in liver, p = 0.0107) and dyspnea treatment (n = 37 in lung, 22 in liver, p = 0.0167). More patients with lung cancer were evaluated by physical therapy (n = 41 in lung, n = 28 in liver, p = 0.0276) and psychiatry (n = 31 in lung, n = 20 in liver, p = 0.032). Conclusions: Differences between lung and liver cancer patients’ symptom prevalence and treatment by palliative care can vary by site. This reinforces the importance of local surveys of symptom prevalence . Further studies should be replicated in other sites.

Gaps in supportive and survivorship care for lung cancer patients.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 32-32
Author(s):  
Tara Perloff ◽  
Jennifer C. King ◽  
Maureen Rigney
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Care Delivery ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Care Team ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Survivorship Care ◽  
Lung Cancer Patients

32 Background: Clinical guidelines increasingly recommend an expansion of multidisciplinary care for oncology patients to include supportive and survivorship care. Despite recommendations, lung cancer patients may not access these services due to implementation challenges among health care delivery systems. Our study goal was to assess treatment and care planning from the perspectives of lung cancer patients and caregivers. Methods: A Community Needs Assessment survey was electronically distributed to lung cancer patients and caregivers. 820 people responded, including 471 patients and 349 caregivers. The overall completion rate was 72.6%. The survey assessed the patient’s care team, values-based discussions in care planning, discussions regarding palliative care, and survivorship care planning. Demographic information was collected to determine if patterns of care correlated with geographical or socioeconomic factors. Results: Less than 50% of patients reported having a conversation about their values and care goals with their treatment team before determining their treatment plan. Less than 30% of patients reported a mental health professional, social worker, palliative care specialist, or nurse navigator as part of their care team. Although research shows a survival benefit to lung cancer patients receiving palliative care, only 26.9% of active patients had discussed palliative care and 20.13% reported receiving it. For caregiver reported data, the patients receiving care had more advanced cancer and had often not survived. Of those who had completed treatment and survived more than 5 years beyond diagnosis, only 22% of patients and 15% of caregivers reported having a survivorship care plan. Conclusions: The majority of lung cancer patients and caregivers reported having not received palliative care, survivorship care plans, psychosocial support, or values-based discussions with their oncologist. Respondents were technology enabled and generally health literate indicating that these problems could be more widespread in rural, lower socioeconomic areas where lung cancer is common. Addressing these problems in health care delivery could positively impact the survivorship of lung cancer patients and their families.

Characterization of aggressive interventions within 30 days of death in lung cancer patients at Smilow Cancer Hospital (SCH).

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (30_suppl) ◽  
pp. 20-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bingnan Zhang ◽  
Kerin B. Adelson ◽  
Salimah Velji ◽  
Joan Rimar ◽  
Peter Longley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
Advanced Lung Cancer ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Lung Cancer Patients ◽  
Aggressive Interventions

20 Background: Multiple studies have demonstrated that patients with advanced cancer receive overly aggressive care at the end-of-life. With the goal of ultimately reducing overutilization, we sought to characterize the care we provide and identify if the Rothman Index (RI), a validated EMR tool which displays patients’ clinical condition, could predict those in whom aggressive interventions might be futile. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review on 118 patients with advanced lung cancer who died at SCH in the fiscal year 2012. We extracted: 1. Rates of aggressive interventions including ICU stay, chemotherapy, non-palliative radiation and surgery within 30 days of death; 2. Rate of palliative care (PC) consultation; 3. RI. 4. Readmission rates. Results: 118 lung cancer patients were identified: 88% stage IV, 12% stage III or unstaged. Results are characterized in the Table. Conclusions: Consistent with national trends, utilization of aggressive interventions near the end-of-life is high amongst SCH advanced lung cancer patients. Discordant with ASCO and IOM guidelines, which call for PC in all patients with advanced cancer, PC was involved in only 29% of our study population, which is an opportunity for quality improvement. A RI of 40 appears to be associated with death within 30 days. Further validation of RI may serve as a trigger to direct care toward palliative measures. Going forward we will expand this analysis to our entire cancer population to provide a baseline for future quality interventions. [Table: see text]

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