HSR19-076: A Prospective Study of the Usage of Pain Medication, Cost, Alternative Medication Use, and Outcome by Cancer Patients in Real World

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3.5) ◽  
pp. HSR19-076
Author(s):  
Praveen Adusumilli ◽  
Vidya Viswanath ◽  
Raghunadha Rao Digumarthi
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Average Cost ◽  
Pain Medication ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Medication Cost ◽  
Palliative Care Specialist ◽  
Care Specialist ◽  
A Prospective Study

Introduction: Perception of pain and the need to treat it is highly variable, even amongst oncologists. Availability of pain specialists is an added advantage. This is an analysis of prescription patterns of pain medication and its outcome in cancer patients. Materials and Methods: The center has 8 oncologists and a pain and palliative care specialist. All the patients presenting to the outpatient department of our institute with a diagnosis of cancer were prospectively analyzed for usage of pain medication using a structured questionnaire. Data on diagnosis, stage, treatment given, and outcomes were analyzed. Pain intensity was recorded on visual analogue scale, types of pain medicines used, and their side effects were noted. The average cost of the pain medication purchased in our pharmacy was calculated. Use of alternative medicines was also noted. Results: A total of 1,098 cancer patients were evaluated. Pain was a prominent complaint in 64.6% of patients. Of these, only 89.5% received pain medication. Mild, moderate, and severe pain was seen in 52.1%, 26.7%, and 21.2% respectively. The 3 most common diagnoses were breast cancer in 19.7%, gastrointestinal cancer in 14%, and 12.1% with head and neck cancers. Weak opioids and NSAIDS were most commonly prescribed analgesics in 44.2% and 42.1%, respectively. Morphine was prescribed for 13.7% of patients. The average cost of pain medicines is Re 148 (US $2.25 a month). Side effects from medication were seen in 13.5% of patients, with constipation being the most common. Alternative forms of medicine were reportedly used by 148 patients: Ayurveda by 20.8%, and homeopathy by 12.9%, native medication by 6.1%, Unani by 1.8%. Good relief of pain was reported by 66%, fair relief by 27%, no relief by 6.1%, and worsening by <1%. Conclusion: Pain management is near ideal with the availability of services of pain and palliative care specialist in a cancer center.

Palliative Care Specialist Access is Associated With Rankings of Hospital Quality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaan Nandwani ◽  
Jennifer M. Maguire ◽  
Maggie Rogers ◽  
Diane E. Meier ◽  
Arif H. Kamal
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Hospital Quality ◽  
Palliative Care Specialist ◽  
Care Specialist

scholarly journals Nutrition dilemma: gastrostomy in a patient with Parkinson's disease. Collaboration of a palliative care specialist and a neurologist

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-99
Author(s):  
Denisa Mlčochová ◽  
Pavel Dušek ◽  
Hana Brožová ◽  
Kateřina Rusinová
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Palliative Care Specialist ◽  
Care Specialist

Cost of Outpatient Blood Transfusion in Cancer Patients

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 2755-2761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-Yves Crémieux ◽  
Barbara Barrett ◽  
Kenneth Anderson ◽  
Mitchell B. Slavin
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Solid Tumors ◽  
Average Cost ◽  
Flow Diagram ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Tumor Type ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Pediatric Cancer Patients ◽  
The Cost

PURPOSE: To determine the cost of outpatient RBC transfusion from the provider’s perspective at a major urban, academic cancer center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 517 cancer patients with hematologic or solid tumors who received blood during fiscal year 1995 to 1996. A process-flow diagram was developed, and cost and utilization data for 12 months were collected and analyzed. A structured interview process was used to identify all direct and indirect costs from within the inpatient unit, blood bank, and outpatient clinic. Average costs were computed for the entire sample and for specific subgroups. RESULTS: In 1998 dollars, the average cost per RBC unit was $469 for adults and $568 for pediatric cancer patients. Adults and children generally received two and one RBC units per transfusion, respectively. Therefore, the average cost of a two-unit transfusion was $938 for adults. Patients with hematologic tumors required more RBC units (7.1 RBC units per year) at a higher average cost ($512 per RBC unit) than patients with solid tumors (4.7 RBC units per year, $474 per RBC unit). Further variations across tumor types were observed. Overhead, direct material, and direct labor represented 46%, 19%, and 35% of total costs respectively. CONCLUSION: The cost of outpatient RBC transfusions in cancer patients is higher than previously reported, in part because overhead costs and fixed costs might have been underestimated in previous studies. Furthermore, age, tumor type, and geographic variations in the cost of fixed assets and labor have a substantial impact on the cost of blood. The results indicate that the cost-effectiveness of alternatives to transfusions in the management of cancer patients may have been underestimated in the existing literature.

Integration of a palliative care specialist in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinic: Observations from one center

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Brizzi ◽  
Sabrina Paganoni ◽  
April Zehm ◽  
Fabiola De Marchi ◽  
James D. Berry
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Palliative Care Specialist ◽  
Care Specialist ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Affording opportunities to discuss deterioration in paediatric palliative care consultations: a conversation analytic study

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e13-e13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart Ekberg ◽  
Susan Danby ◽  
Anthony Herbert ◽  
Natalie K Bradford ◽  
Patsy Yates
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Palliative Care Service ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Palliative Care Specialist ◽  
Communicative Practices ◽  
Paediatric Palliative Care ◽  
Care Specialist ◽  
Self Report Data ◽  
Limiting Condition

ObjectiveDiscussing the potential deterioration of a child who has a life-limiting condition has recognised benefits for future care, but can be challenging in a clinical context where uncertain illness trajectories are common. Existing research is restricted to indirect forms of evidence such as self-report data from clinicians and families. This study directly explores how discussions about deterioration are managed within actual paediatric palliative care consultations.Methods9 consultations were video recorded in an Australian paediatric palliative care service. Each consultation involved the same paediatric palliative care specialist. Conversation analysis was used to identify and explore recurrent ways in which discussions about deterioration came to be realised.FindingsThe study identified two communicative practices used by a paediatric palliative care specialist that afforded opportunities to discuss deterioration: (1) soliciting the family's agenda for the consultation; (2) initiating and maintaining topics where discussing deterioration is a relevant possibility. Across these different practices, a common feature was indirect initiation of discussions about deterioration. This approach made such discussions possible, but without mandating or even suggesting that such discussion must occur.ConclusionsThese communicative practices balance the benefit of discussing deterioration against a recognised importance of allowing discussions to be directed by a child's family. This was achieved by creating opportunities for discussing deterioration, without making such discussions necessary.

Utilization of antineoplastic therapy (ANT) in advanced cancer patients admitted to an acute palliative care unit (APCU) at a comprehensive cancer center

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9590-9590
Author(s):  
D. Hui ◽  
E. Bruera ◽  
Z. Li ◽  
J. L. Palmer ◽  
M. de la Cruz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Palliative Care Unit ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Targeted Agents ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis ◽  
Younger Age

9590 Background: Cancer patients admitted to a palliative care unit generally have a poor prognosis. The role of ANT (chemotherapy and targeted agents) in these patients is unclear. We examined the frequency, trends, factors and survival associated with ANT use in hospitalized patients who required an APCU stay. Methods: All patients admitted to APCU between September 1, 2003 and August 31, 2008 were included. Demographics, cancer diagnosis and ANTs utilization from day of hospitalization to discharge, and survival information were retrieved retrospectively. Results: 2604 cancer patients had the following characteristics: median age 59 (range 18–101), male 51%, hematologic malignancy 11%, median hospital stay 11 (Q1-Q3 8–17) days, median APCU stay 7 (Q1-Q3 4–10) days and median survival 22 days. During hospitalization, 393 patients (15%) received ANTs, including chemotherapy (N=297, 11%) and targeted therapy (N=155, 6%). No significant change in frequency of ANTs was detected over the 5 year period. Multivariate logistic regression analysis ( Table ) revealed that younger age, cancer primaries and longer admissions were associated with ANT use. Patients with hematologic malignancies received more chemotherapy (38% vs. 8%, p<0.001) and targeted agents (18% vs. 4%, p<0.001) compared to patients with solid tumors. ANT use was associated with longer overall survival in univariate analysis (median 25 days vs. 21 days, p=0.001); however, this was no longer significant in multivariate Cox regression analysis. Conclusions: The use of ANT during hospitalization that included an APCU stay was limited to a highly selected group of patients, and did not increase overtime. ANT use was associated with younger age, specific cancer primaries, longer admissions, and no significant improvement in survival. The APCU at our cancer center facilitates simultaneous care where patients access palliative care while on ANT. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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