Assessing palliative care needs on admission to intensive care

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 10-10
Author(s):  
Margaret L. Isaac ◽  
J. Randall Curtis

Palliative care is increasingly recognized as an important component of care for all critically ill patients and should include both improving the primary palliative care skills of all clinicians working in the intensive care unit (ICU) as well as incorporating palliative care specialists for patients and families with unmet palliative care needs. This chapter highlights the key issues related to palliative care in ICU and evidence-based strategies to manage these issues. Topics covered include screening criteria to help identify patients with a high likelihood of unmet palliative care needs, withdrawal of life support (checklist and communication), providing prognostic information, quality indicators for end-of-life care in the ICU, and symptom assessment and management in the ICU.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne M. Finucane ◽  
Connie Swenson ◽  
John I. MacArtney ◽  
Rachel Perry ◽  
Hazel Lamberton ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Specialist palliative care (SPC) providers tend to use the term ‘complex’ to refer to the needs of patients who require SPC. However, little is known about complex needs on first referral to a SPC service. We examined which needs are present and sought the perspectives of healthcare professionals on the complexity of need on referral to a hospice service. Methods Multi-site sequential explanatory mixed method study consisting of a case-note review and focus groups with healthcare professionals in four UK hospices. Results Documentation relating to 239 new patient referrals to hospice was reviewed; and focus groups involving 22 healthcare professionals conducted. Most patients had two or more needs documented on referral (96%); and needs were recorded across two or more domains for 62%. Physical needs were recorded for 91% of patients; psychological needs were recorded for 59%. Spiritual needs were rarely documented. Referral forms were considered limited for capturing complex needs. Referrals were perceived to be influenced by the experience and confidence of the referrer and the local resource available to meet palliative care needs directly. Conclusions Complexity was hard to detail or to objectively define on referral documentation alone. It appeared to be a term used to describe patients whom primary or secondary care providers felt needed SPC knowledge or support to meet their needs. Hospices need to provide greater clarity regarding who should be referred, when and for what purpose. Education and training in palliative care for primary care nurses and doctors and hospital clinicians could reduce the need for referral and help ensure that hospices are available to those most in need of SPC input.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aoibheann Conneely ◽  
Jo-Hanna Ivers ◽  
Joe Barry ◽  
Elaine Dunne ◽  
Norma O’Leary ◽  
...  

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