HSR19-087: Intensity of Symptom Management After Palliative Care Referral Not Associated With Reduced Imaging Intensity for Cancer Patients During the End-of-Life Period

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3.5) ◽  
pp. HSR19-087
Author(s):  
Benjamin L. Franc ◽  
Kesav Raghavan ◽  
Timothy P. Copeland ◽  
Maya Ladenheim ◽  
Angela Marks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Symptom Management ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Intensity Score ◽  
Life Period ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Management Intensity ◽  
Imaging Utilization

Purpose: For patients with advanced cancer, palliative care (PC) referral itself results in improved quality of life and lower total health care costs. While our earlier research suggests that PC referral alone does not appear to affect imaging utilization, the effect of the intensity of services for PC symptom management on utilization of imaging services is unknown. We sought to evaluate whether an association exists between the intensity of PC symptom management services and utilization of high-cost imaging at the end-of-life. Methods/Materials: Adult cancer patients who died between January 1, 2012–May 31, 2015 were identified. A PC symptom management intensity score was determined for each patient during the last year of life based upon the number of inpatient and outpatient PC service visits and the number of problems addressed within the 8 defined domains for palliative care. Frequency of utilization of nonemergent oncologic imaging was determined for the last 3 months and the last month of life. Using chi-square and Wilcoxon-rank sum tests, effects of low (<20th percentile) and high (>80th percentile) PC symptom management intensity score on the proportion of patients imaged and mean number of studies per patient (mean imaging intensity [MII]) were compared for the last 3 months and last month of life. Results: 3,772 decedents were included, with 3,523 (93.4%) never referred to PC and 249 (6.6%) referred to PC, largely before the last month of life (70.3%). Within the last 3 months and last month of life, the proportion of patients imaged was significantly greater (P<.001) in patients with high PC symptom management intensity scores when compared to those with low PC symptom management intensity scores. There was no significant difference in the mean number of imaging studies received by either group in the last 1 month or 3 months of life. (P>.05). Conclusions: The intensity of PC symptom management in end-of-life oncologic care was not associated with decreased use of nonemergent, high-cost cancer imaging in our cohort. This may suggest an opportunity for reduced high-cost imaging through further clarification of the goals of care with both patients and oncologists, although the role of imaging in the setting of PC during the end-of-life period warrants further study as well.

Impact of palliative care on end-of-life management of cancer patients dying in the hospital.

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e20613-e20613
Author(s):  
Syed Mustafa Karim ◽  
Jamal M Zekri ◽  
Ehab Mosaad Abdelghany ◽  
Azhar Rizvi ◽  
Aboelkhair Al-Gahmi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Palliative Care Teams ◽  
Palliative Care Services ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Eol Care

e20613 Background: A substantial number of cancer patients receive inpatient care at the end-of-life (EoL). Involvement of palliative care teams during the course of cancer treatment has been shown to improve quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients. In this study, we compare the EoL care of cancer patients dying in the hospital under medical oncology (MO) and palliative care (PC) services. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records of adult cancer patients who received chemotherapy during their illness and died in our hospital between January 2010 and January 2012 was conducted. The quality metrics measured as endpoints were: chemotherapy given within 21 days of death, death in the ICU, CPR at time of death, and time from last chemotherapy to death (TLCD). These endpoints were compared between patients who died under the MO service (cohort A) and those dying under PC service (cohort B). Chi-square test and T-test were used to compare the endpoints between the two cohorts. Results: Of the 106 cancer patients who died in the hospital, 40 and 66 were in cohorts A and B respectively. 30% of all patients were 65 years of age or older, and were equally distributed between the two cohorts. Patients in cohort A were more likely to receive chemotherapy within last 3 weeks of life (27.5% versus 7.5%, p=0.012, 95% CI 4.16-37.15), to have CPR at time of death (15% versus 0%, p=0.005, 95% CI 4.2-29.8) and to die in the ICU (52.5% versus 1.5%, p=<0.001, 95% CI 33.3-67.1) as compared to patients in cohort B. The average time from last chemotherapy to death was significantly longer (221 days) for cohort B patients as compared to cohort A patients (96 days), p=0.01. Patients in cohort A who had PC consultation during their hospitalization had no differences in the measured endpoints when compared to patients in cohort B. Conclusions: Cancer patients who die in the hospital while under MO service without PC involvement tend to have more aggressive EoL care. This may impact negatively on some QoL features. Early referral to palliative care services may facilitate better understanding and fulfillment of the needs of cancer patients and their caregivers by the healthcare-providers.

Aggressive care at the end of life: A study of practice based factors in patients with stage IV cancer.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (8_suppl) ◽  
pp. 80-80
Author(s):  
Mohammad Omar Atiq ◽  
Rahul Ravilla ◽  
Ajay Kumar ◽  
Sajjad Haider ◽  
Ji-Ling Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Goals Of Care ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Aggressive Care ◽  
Stage Iv Cancer ◽  
End Stage

80 Background: Numerous studies established that early utilization of palliative care-hospice services are beneficial to cancer patients. To reduce the incidence of aggressive care in terminal cancer patients, we conducted a quality improvement study to identify pertinent risk factors and develop interventions. Methods: Through chart review, we retrospectively identified patients with stage IV cancer that were followed by oncology clinic and were admitted to the University Hospital between 8/1/2015-10/31/15. For those patients who died during the last hospitalization or were discharged to hospice care, we obtained demographic, cancer related and practice related variables listed in Table. We used Mann Whitney U test and multivariable regression to find effects of factors related to length of stay (LOS) and cost of stay (COS). Results: Length of stay was significantly prolonged in those receiving chemotherapy within the past month (6 vs 3 p=0.035). Multivariate analyses found that patients with goals of care documented in the clinic had lower COS by 36.7% and LOS by 46.7%. On average, an ICU stay resulted in COS 2.2 times higher. No significant difference was seen in LOS based on a documented palliative care clinic visit or presence of an advanced directive. Conclusions: We identified practice based factors that need improvement including earlier goals of care conversations and less chemotherapy at the end of life. Identifying end stage patients in earlier admissions, collaborating with palliative care, and adding goals of care documentation to clinic note templates, are all interventions we are studying to improve care for end stage cancer patients. [Table: see text]

scholarly journals 139. association of Physician Orders for Life-sustaining Treatment (POLST) with Antimicrobial Use at End of Life in Cancer Patients: An Antimicrobial Stewardship Opportunity

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S199-S200
Author(s):  
Olivia Kates ◽  
Elizabeth M Krantz ◽  
Juhye Lee ◽  
John Klaassen ◽  
Jessica Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Symptom Management ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Antimicrobial Use ◽  
Study Investigator ◽  
Days Of Therapy ◽  
Life Sustaining Treatment ◽  
Rate Ratios

Abstract Background IDSA/SHEA guidelines recommend that antimicrobial stewardship programs support providers in antibiotic decisions for end of life care. Washington State Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms allow patients to indicate antimicrobial use preferences. We sought to characterize antimicrobial use in the last 30 days of life for cancer patients by presence of a POLST and antimicrobial use preferences. Methods We performed a single-center, retrospective cohort study of cancer patient deaths from January 1, 2016 - June 30, 3018. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, POLST, and antimicrobial use within 30 days before death were extracted from electronic records. To test for an association between POLST completed at least 30 days before death and inpatient antimicrobial days of therapy (DOT) in the 30 days before death, we used negative binomial models adjusted for age, sex, race, and service line (hematologic versus solid malignancy); model estimates are presented as incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) Results Of 1796 patients, 406 (23%) had a POLST. 177/406 (44%) were completed less than 30 days before death, and 58/177 (32.8%) specified limited antibiotic use; 40/177 (23%) did not specify any antimicrobial use preference (Fig 1). Of 1295 patients with at least 1 inpatient day in the 30 days before death, 1070 (83%) received at least 1 inpatient antimicrobial with median DOT of 1077 per 1000 inpatient days (Tab 1). There was no difference in DOT among patients with and without a POLST &gt; /= 30 days before death (IRR 0.92, CI 0.77, 1.10). Patients with a POLST specifying limited antibiotic use had significantly lower inpatient IV antimicrobial DOT compared to those without a POLST (IRR 0.64, CI 0.42–0.97) (Fig 2). Figure 1. Classification of Patients by Presence of POLST, Timing, and Antimicrobial Preference Content of POLST. Numbers shown represent the number of patients (percentage). Full antibiotic use refers to the selection “Use antibiotics for prolongation of life.” Limited antibiotic use refers to the selection “Do not use antibiotics except when needed for symptom management.” Table 1: Antimicrobial use for all patients and by advance directive group Figure 2. Forest plot of model estimates, represented as incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), for associations between POLST antimicrobial specifications completed at least 30 days before death and inpatient antibiotic days of therapy (DOT) in the 30 days before death. Estimates represent comparisons between each POLST category and no POLST completed at least 30 days before death. Dots represent the IRR and brackets extend to the lower and upper limit of the 95% CI. Blue estimates are for the inpatient antibiotic DOT outcome and red estimates are for the inpatient IV antibiotic DOT outcome. Conclusion POLST completion is rare &gt; /= 30 days before death, with few POLSTs specifying antimicrobial use. Compared to those with no POLST in this time frame, patients who indicated that antibiotics should be used only for symptom management received significantly fewer inpatient IV antimicrobials. Early discussion of advance directives including POLST with specification of antimicrobial use preferences may promote more thoughtful use of antimicrobials near the end of life in a compassionate, patient-centered way. Disclosures Steven A. Pergam, MD, MPH, Chimerix, Inc (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Global Life Technologies, Inc. (Research Grant or Support)Merck & Co. (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Sanofi-Aventis (Other Financial or Material Support, Participate in clinical trial sponsored by NIAID (U01-AI132004); vaccines for this trial are provided by Sanofi-Aventis)

scholarly journals Disparities in access to palliative care facilities for patients with and without cancer: A retrospective review

2021 ◽  
pp. 026921632110073
Author(s):  
Christine Lau ◽  
Christopher Meaney ◽  
Matthew Morgan ◽  
Rose Cook ◽  
Camilla Zimmermann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Palliative Care Services ◽  
Low Performance ◽  
Electronic Referral

Background: To date, little is known about the characteristics of patients who are admitted to a palliative care bed for end-of-life care. Previous data suggest that there are disparities in access to palliative care services based on age, sex, diagnosis, and socioeconomic status, but it is unclear whether these differences impact access to a palliative care bed. Aim: To better identify patient factors associated with the likelihood/rate of admission to a palliative care bed. Design: A retrospective chart review of all initiated palliative care bed applications through an electronic referral program was conducted over a 24-month period. Setting/participants: Patients who apply and are admitted to a palliative care bed in a Canadian metropolitan city. Results: A total of 2743 patients made a total of 5202 bed applications to 9 hospice/palliative care units in 2015–2016. Referred and admitted cancer patients were younger, male, and more functional than compared to non-cancer patients (all p < 0.001). Referred and admitted patients without cancer were more advanced in their illness trajectory, with an anticipated prognosis <1 month and Palliative Performance Status of 10%–20% (all p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, a diagnosis of cancer and a prognosis of <3 months were associated with increased likelihood and/or rate of admission to a bed, whereas the presence of care needs, a longer prognosis and a PPS of 30%–40% were associated with decreased rates and/or likelihood of admission. Conclusion: Patients without cancer have reduced access to palliative care facilities at end-of-life compared to patients with cancer; at the time of their application and admission, they are “sicker” with very low performance status and poorer prognoses. Further studies investigating disease-specific clinical variables and support requirements may provide more insights into these observed disparities.

scholarly journals The Effect of the Covid-19 Free Operation Path Protocol on the Incidence of Lung Complications in Postoperative Elective Patients at dr. Moewardi Hospital Surakarta

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 1030-1036
Author(s):  
Galih Aktama ◽  
Henky Agung Nugroho ◽  
Muhammad David Perdana Putra
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Elective Surgery ◽  
Pulmonary Complications ◽  
P Value ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Elective Surgical Procedures ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Elective Patients

The pandemic that began in late 2019, COVID-19, affects all patients, including cancer patients. Patients with cancer that continues to spread and  there is no other effective alternative treatment must undergo surgery so that cancer does not get worse. Given this problem, many health care centers have developed a protocol system in the form of a COVID-19-free surgical route. This study is a retrospective cohort study comparing the incidence of pulmonary complications in patients undergoing elective cancer surgery at dr. Moewardi Surakarta before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study sample was adult patients  aged ≥ 18 years which underwent elective surgical procedures with the aim of curative cancer starting before COVID-19 (March 2019-February 2020) until the time the COVID-19 pandemic emerged (March 2020 - February 2021). The data obtained were 768 patients. Of these patients, 384 were classified as having a COVID19-free operation route during the pandemic, and 384 others underwent elective surgery in the pre-pandemic period. Based on the Chi-Square test, a p-value of 0.850 was obtained (P>0.05) which shows that there is significant difference between cases of pulmonary complications in surgical patients before and after the pandemic who were carried out through the COVID-19-free protocol route. In conclusion, there is no significant change in effect of the covid-19 free operation path protocol on the incidence of lung complications in postoperative elective patients at dr. Moewardi Hospital Surakarta, although this patented and mandatory protocol can reduce cancer patients’ morbidity and mortality who undergoing elective surgery during a pandemic.

scholarly journals Shifting Palliative Care Paradigm in Primary Care From Better Death to Better End-of-Life : A Swiss Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Sommer ◽  
Christopher Chung ◽  
Dagmar M. Haller ◽  
Sophie Pautex
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients

Abstract Background: Patients suffering from advanced cancer often loose contact with their primary care physician (PCP) during oncologic treatment and palliative care is introduced very late.The aim of this pilot study was to test the feasibility and procedures for a randomized trial of an intervention to teach PCPs a palliative care approach and communication skills to improve advanced cancer patients’ quality of life. Methods: Observational pilot study in 5 steps. 1) Recruitment of PCPs. 2) Intervention: training on palliative care competencies and communication skills addressing end-of-life issues.3) Recruitment of advanced cancer patients by PCPs. 4) Patients follow-up by PCPs, and assessment of their quality of life by a research assistant 5) Feedback from PCPs using a semi-structured focus group and three individual interviews with qualitative deductive theme analysis.Results: 8 PCPs were trained. PCPs failed to recruit patients for fear of imposing additional loads on their patients. PCPs changed their approach of advanced cancer patients. They became more conscious of their role and responsibility during oncologic treatments and felt empowered to take a more active role picking up patient’s cues and addressing advance directives. They developed interprofessional collaborations for advance care planning. Overall, they discovered the role to help patients to make decisions for a better end-of-life.Conclusions: PCPs failed to recruit advanced cancer patients, but reported a change in paradigm about palliative care. They moved from a focus on helping patients to die better, to a new role helping patients to define the conditions for a better end-of-life.Trial registration : The ethics committee of the canton of Geneva approved the study (2018-00077 Pilot Study) in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki

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