scholarly journals Clinical and laboratory characteristics associated with referral of hospitalized elderly to palliative care

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suelen Pereira Arcanjo ◽  
Luis Alberto Saporetti ◽  
José Antonio Esper Curiati ◽  
Wilson Jacob-Filho ◽  
Thiago Junqueira Avelino-Silva
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Clinical Indication ◽  
Care Group ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Stepwise Logistic Regression ◽  
Advanced Dementia

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate clinical and laboratory characteristics associated with referral of acutely ill older adults to exclusive palliative care. Methods A retrospective cohort study based on 572 admissions of acutely ill patients aged 60 years or over to a university hospital located in São Paulo, Brazil, from 2009 to 2013. The primary outcome was the clinical indication for exclusive palliative care. Comprehensive geriatric assessments were used to measure target predictors, such as sociodemographic, clinical, cognitive, functional and laboratory data. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of palliative care. Results Exclusive palliative care was indicated in 152 (27%) cases. In the palliative care group, in-hospital mortality and 12 month cumulative mortality amounted to 50% and 66%, respectively. Major conditions prompting referral to palliative care were advanced dementia (45%), cancer (38%), congestive heart failure (25%), stage IV and V renal dysfunction (24%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (8%) and cirrhosis (4%). Major complications observed in the palliative care group included delirium (p<0.001), infections (p<0.001) and pressure ulcers (p<0.001). Following multivariate analysis, male sex (OR=2.12; 95%CI: 1.32-3.40), cancer (OR=7.36; 95%CI: 4.26-13.03), advanced dementia (OR=12.6; 95%CI: 7.5-21.2), and albumin levels (OR=0.25; 95%CI: 0.17-0.38) were identified as independent predictors of referral to exclusive palliative care. Conclusion Advanced dementia and cancer were the major clinical conditions associated with referral of hospitalized older adults to exclusive palliative care. High short-term mortality suggests prognosis should be better assessed and discussed with patients and families in primary care settings.

scholarly journals Emergency Medicine Palliative Care Access (EMPallA): protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of specialty outpatient versus nurse-led telephonic palliative care of older adults with advanced illness

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e025692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corita R Grudzen ◽  
Deborah J Shim ◽  
Abigail M Schmucker ◽  
Jeanne Cho ◽  
Keith S Goldfeld
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Case Management ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
End Stage

IntroductionEmergency department (ED)-initiated palliative care has been shown to improve patient-centred outcomes in older adults with serious, life-limiting illnesses. However, the optimal modality for providing such interventions is unknown. This study aims to compare nurse-led telephonic case management to specialty outpatient palliative care for older adults with serious, life-limiting illness on: (1) quality of life in patients; (2) healthcare utilisation; (3) loneliness and symptom burden and (4) caregiver strain, caregiver quality of life and bereavement.Methods and analysisThis is a protocol for a pragmatic, multicentre, parallel, two-arm randomised controlled trial in ED patients comparing two established models of palliative care: nurse-led telephonic case management and specialty, outpatient palliative care. We will enrol 1350 patients aged 50+ years and 675 of their caregivers across nine EDs. Eligible patients: (1) have advanced cancer (metastatic solid tumour) or end-stage organ failure (New York Heart Association class III or IV heart failure, end-stage renal disease with glomerular filtration rate <15 mL/min/m2, or global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease stage III, IV or oxygen-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); (2) speak English; (3) are scheduled for ED discharge or observation status; (4) reside locally; (5) have a working telephone and (6) are insured. Patients will be excluded if they: (1) have dementia; (2) have received hospice care or two or more palliative care visits in the last 6 months or (3) reside in a long-term care facility. We will use patient-level block randomisation, stratified by ED site and disease. Effectiveness will be compared by measuring the impact of each intervention on the specified outcomes. The primary outcome will measure change in patient quality of life.Ethics and disseminationInstitutional Review Board approval was obtained at all study sites. Trial results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberNCT03325985; Pre-results.

Attitude and Barriers in Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning in Nonmalignant Chronic Lung Disease: Results From a Danish National Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 232-235
Author(s):  
Anita Rath Sørensen ◽  
Kristoffer Marsaa ◽  
Thomas Skovhus Prior ◽  
Elisabeth Bendstrup
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Chronic Lung Diseases ◽  
Advance Care

Introduction: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial lung disease have a significant burden of symptoms. Many are not offered palliative care (PC). Our aim was to investigate the attitudes to and barriers for PC among physicians. Method: A web-based survey was conducted among members of the Danish Respiratory Society. The questionnaire included contextual (gender, age, clinical experience, type of center, patient caseload) and outcome questions (knowledge and use of statements for PC and advance care planning [ACP], practice of communication about end-of-life decisions, practice for referral to PC, barriers regarding structural surroundings, clinical skills, and organization). Results: One hundred fifty-six (45%) physicians responded. Median age was 40 - 49 years and 55% were female. Fifty-two percent were specialists; 71% worked at a university hospital. The majority of physicians (60%) reported barriers for discussions about PC and ACP; 63% reported lack of time, 52% lack of multidisciplinary staff settings, 63% reported the unpredictability of the prognosis, and 20% insufficient awareness of patient’s culture, religion, or spirituality. Fewer specialists than nonspecialists reported barriers toward ACP. The majority had knowledge of guidelines in PC and ACP, but only a minority used these in daily clinical practice. Conclusion: The attitude toward PC and ACP conversations was positive and implementation was regarded as important, but only a minority performed these conversations in practice. Main barriers were lack of time and staff. Palliative care guidelines were known but only scarcely used. Structural changes at the organizational level to improve access to palliation for patients with nonmalignant chronic lung diseases are needed.

scholarly journals The need for palliative care among patients with chronic diseases: a situational diagnosis in a university hospital

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria da Penha Gomes Gouvea
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Quantitative Study ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Older Patient ◽  
Quality Of Death ◽  
Performance Scale ◽  
Diagnosis Age

Abstract Objective: To perform a situational diagnosis of a population hospitalized with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) who are potentially entitled to palliative care in a university hospital. Method: A quantitative study with document analysis was carried out. The analyzes were categorized by the following variables: baseline diagnosis, age, sex, readmission and PPS (Palliative Performance Scale) score. Results: Over two months of research among 631 hospitalized patients, 198 patients who were potentially entitled to palliative care were identified; 113 (57.1%) of whom were older adults. Cancer was the disease with the highest incidence among the surveyed, with 95 cases, and was more recurrent in the older patient group, with 52 cases (62.1%). Similarly, multiple hospitalizations were more prevalent in the older population, and patients diagnosed with strokes had the longest hospitalizations. Conclusion: The situational diagnosis carried out was relevant as it identified a group of patients, the majority of whom were older, who may be neglected in terms of their right to palliative care and an improved quality of death.

Effect Of Genotype On Pulmonary Hypertension In Patients With Thalassemia

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 3456-3456
Author(s):  
Nattiya Teawtrakul ◽  
Phuangpaka Ungprasert ◽  
Burabha Pussadhamma ◽  
Patcharawadee Prayalaw ◽  
Supan Fucharoen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Clinical Indication ◽  
Genotype Group

Abstract Introduction Pulmonary hypertension is one of the major complications in patients with thalassemia. The prevalence is higher among patients with non - transfusion dependent thalassemia (NTDT) than those patients with thalassemia major. Patients with NTDT have distinct genetic subgroups. Therefore, the effects of different genotype groups on pulmonary hypertension in patients with NTDT were assessed. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with NTDT aged ≥ 10 years old at Srinagarind University Hospital and Udonthani Hospital. Pulmonary hypertension was defined as a tricuspid regurgitation velocity > 2.9 m/s by trans-thoracic echocardiography. All patients gave consent and the protocol was approved by the Ethics committee of Faculty of Medicine, KhonKaen University and Udonthani Hospital. Clinical characteristics and laboratory data that literature indicated as risk factors for pulmonary hypertension were collected. Genotypes were determined by hemoglobin typing and DNA analysis. The effect of genotype group on pulmonary hypertension was evaluated by using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Two hundred twenty two patients were recruited, 3 patients were excluded (1 patient with congenital heart disease and 2 patients with valvular heart disease). In a total of 219 patients, pulmonary hypertension was found in 24 patients (10.96%). All patients were categorized into 2 groups according to genetic data that included: 1) β-thalassemia (140, 63.93%) 2) α-thalassemia and combined α and β-thalassemia (79, 36.07%).Genotype groups were statistically and significantly associated with pulmonary hypertension based on the adjusted odds ratios after adjustment for other factors. Patients with β-thalassemia had a statistically significant higher risk for pulmonary hypertension compared to patients with α-thalassemia and patients with combined α and β-thalassemia had an odds ratio of 9.47 (p=0.036). Conclusion Genotype group is an independent risk factor for pulmonary hypertension in patients with NTDT. Echocardiography should be routinely recommended in patients with β-thalassemia. In patients with α-thalassemia and combined α and β-thalassemia, pulmonary hypertension is uncommon. Therefore, echocardiography should be only performed when these patients have a clinical indication. Abbreviation Hb CS = Hemoglobin Constant spring, Hb Pakse´= Hemoglobin Pakse´ Abbreviation PHT= pulmonary hypertension, AOR= adjusted odds ratio, 95% CI= 95% confidence interval Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Breathlessness and opioid therapy: A retrospective chart analysis in 2,958 patients.

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (29_suppl) ◽  
pp. 192-192
Author(s):  
Benjamin Gronwald ◽  
Michael Wolff ◽  
Jan Gaertner ◽  
Patric Bialas ◽  
Marcus Niewald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Palliative Care Service ◽  
Opioid Therapy ◽  
Palliative Care Team ◽  
Care Team ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Prolonged Release ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Distressing Symptom

192 Background: Breathlessness is a common and distressing symptom, which increases in many diseases as they progress and is difficult to manage. It is widely accepted that opioids are safe and effective for treating dyspnea, although no single opioid has an authorization for the treatment of breathlessness. The aims of the study were to assess prevalence rates of breathlessness as well as the treatment approaches especially with respect to opioid therapy in all patients cared by a hospital palliative care team in a university hospital over a period of five years. Methods: A systematic review of all electronically available records of patients under palliative care service from April 2010 – April 2015 was performed. Results: Breathlessness was the third most common symptom in our patient group behind fatigue and pain. Furthermore it was classified as the utmost distressing symptom of all. Many patients suffering from breathlessness were opioid-naive before contact with our palliative care team. Many of these patients were put on prolonged-release opioids together with short-acting opioids (mucosal fentanyl) as rescue medication for breathlessness. Opioid therapy was judged to be very effective by the majority of patients suffering from breathlessness however caused (cancer-related or due to a benign disease e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Conclusions: In a large cohort of patients breathlessness is a major topic and is clearly positively influenceable by opioids. In our opinion it is longtime overdue to strive for an authorization for opioids against breathlessness.

Implications for the future of palliative care for pancreatic cancer: A retrospective institutional study.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 153-153
Author(s):  
Alina Basnet ◽  
Wajihuddin Syed ◽  
Shreya Sinha ◽  
Rashad Khan ◽  
Pallavi Kopparthy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Blood Products ◽  
Early Palliative Care ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
The Impact

153 Background: Five year overall survival rate for localized and metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) is discouraging at 31.5% and 2.7%, respectively. Evidence supports that early palliative care (PC) involvement leads to better quality of life and prolongs OS. Referral to PC is often delayed as it is perceived as an alternative rather than adjunctive care. We conducted a retrospective study to identify different variables that affect PC consultation among patients (pts) with PAC admitted to the hospital and to study the impact of health care utilizations on OS. Methods: A retrospective medical record review of pts with PAC diagnosed/treated at SUNY Upstate University hospital was conducted (2011-2015). Variables like age, sex, race, stage at diagnosis, insurance status, performance status (PS), frequency of hospital admissions, nights spent, procedure visits, blood products used, and time variable to PC referral from diagnosis were collected. OS was calculated using Kaplan Meier analysis. Results: We identified 325 pts with diagnosis of PAC. 86.72% pts had one or more hospital admissions during course of their illness and of these, 15.85% saw PC during initial inpatient admission. 36.23% saw PC later in the course of their illness and 13.96% pts were offered palliative care in first outpatient visit. Median time interval to see palliative care was 75 days (d) from diagnosis, with 25% pts seeing PC 304d from diagnosis. Variables that had significant impact on early palliative care encounter (0-30d) were age > 70, stage IV at diagnosis, PS of 4, medicare insurance, offered PC in first visit (p< 0.001). OS was not statistically significant between groups who had ≥ 1 vs 0 blood products given, < 3 vs ≥ 3 hospital admissions, ≤ 13 vs > 13 nights spent, ≥ 1 vs 0 procedures done, ≤ 3 vs > 3 consults service seen. Median OS for pts with time interval to see PC 0-30d vs > 120d was 33d and 510d respectively with adjusted hazard ratio of 6.252 (95% CI 3.462-11.29). Conclusions: We demonstrated that PC is underutilized with only minority of pts benefiting from it during their cancer treatment. OS was poor in group evaluated by palliative care early than late which could be due to patients with advanced disease and poor PS being referred early.

Predictors of Unplanned Hospitalizations Among Older Adults Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy

2021 ◽  
pp. OP.20.00681
Author(s):  
Heidi D. Klepin ◽  
Can-Lan Sun ◽  
David D. Smith ◽  
Rawad Elias ◽  
Kelly M. Trevino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Multivariable Analyses ◽  
Unplanned Hospitalizations

PURPOSE: Hospitalizations during cancer treatment are costly, can impair quality of life, and negatively affect therapy completion. Our objective was to identify risk factors for unplanned hospitalization among older adults receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a multisite cohort study (N = 750) of patients ≥ 65 years of age evaluated with a geriatric assessment (GA) to predict chemotherapy toxicity. The primary outcome of this analysis was unplanned hospitalizations during treatment; the secondary outcome was length of stay (LOS) of the first hospitalization. Independent variables included pretreatment GA measures, laboratory values, cancer type and stage, and treatment intensity characteristics. We used logistic regression to estimate the odds of hospitalization and generalized linear models for LOS in multivariable analyses. RESULTS: The sample median age was 72 years (range, 65-94 years); 59% had stage IV disease. At least one unplanned hospitalization occurred in 193 patients (25.7%) during receipt of chemotherapy. In multivariable analyses controlling for cancer type, the following baseline characteristics were significantly associated with increased odds of hospitalization: needing help bathing or dressing (odds ratio [OR], 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0 to 3.1), polypharmacy (≥ 5 meds) (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.4), more comorbid conditions (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0 to 1.3), availability of someone to take them to the doctor (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.0 to 4.1), CrCl < 60 mL/min (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.4), and albumin < 3.5 g/dL (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.8). In multivariable analyses, older age, self-reported presence of liver or kidney disease, living alone and depressive symptoms were associated with longer LOS. CONCLUSION: Readily available GA variables and laboratory data, but not age, were associated with unplanned hospitalizations among older adults receiving chemotherapy. If validated, these data can inform prediction models and the design of interventions to decrease unplanned hospitalizations.

Long-term care

2015 ◽  
pp. 717-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan G. Carpenter ◽  
Mary Ersek
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Advanced Dementia ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Hospice Patients ◽  
Care Models

Over 25% of older adults and almost 70% of persons with advanced dementia live out their final days in nursing homes. While the number of hospice patients living in nursing homes has increased dramatically over the past decade, other comprehensive palliative care models have not been widely adopted or tested in nursing homes. Palliative care nurses play critical roles in collaborating with nursing home staff to enhance end-of-life care and outcomes for older persons.

Sharing of Worldwide Spread Knowledge Using Hypermedia Facilities & Fast Communication Protocols (Mosaic and World Wide Web): The Example of ExPASy

1995 ◽  
Vol 34 (01/02) ◽  
pp. 75-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Appel ◽  
O. Golaz ◽  
Ch. Pasquali ◽  
J.-C. Sanchez ◽  
A. Bairoch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
World Wide Web ◽  
World Wide ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Communication Protocols ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Central Element ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
New Information ◽  
The University ◽  
Link Information

Abstract:The sharing of knowledge worldwide using hypermedia facilities and fast communication protocols (i.e., Mosaic and World Wide Web) provides a growth capacity with tremendous versatility and efficacy. The example of ExPASy, a molecular biology server developed at the University Hospital of Geneva, is striking. ExPASy provides hypermedia facilities to browse through several up-to-date biological and medical databases around the world and to link information from protein maps to genome information and diseases. Its extensive access is open through World Wide Web. Its concept could be extended to patient data including texts, laboratory data, relevant literature findings, sounds, images and movies. A new hypermedia culture is spreading very rapidly where the international fast transmission of documents is the central element. It is part of the emerging new “information society”.

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