A quality improvement project to increase palliative care team involvement in pediatric oncology patients.

Pediatric Blood & Cancer
Sana FarookiKaren Lewing

Abstract

Pediatric palliative care (PPC) for oncology patients improves quality of life and the likelihood of goal-concordant care. However, barriers to involvement exist. We aimed to increase days between PPC consult and death for patients with refractory cancer from a baseline median of 13.5 days to ≥30 days between March 2019 and March 2020. Outcome measure was days from PPC consult to death; process measure was days from diagnosis to PPC consult. The project team surveyed oncologists to identify barriers. Plan-do-study-act cycles included establishing target diagnoses, offering education, standardizing documentation, and sending reminders. The 24-month baseline period included 30 patients who died and 25 newly diagnosed patients. The yearlong intervention period included six patients who died and 16 newly diagnosed patients. Interventions improved outcome and process measures. Targeted patients receiving PPC ≥30 days prior to death increased from 43% to 100%; median days from consult to death increased from 13.5 to 159.5. Targeted patients receiving PPC within 30 days of diagnosis increased from 28% to 63%; median days from diagnosis to consult decreased from 221.5 to 14. Of those without PPC consult ≤ 30 days after diagnosis, 17% h...Continue Reading

References

Feb 3, 2000·The New England Journal of Medicine·J WolfeJ C Weeks
Jan 12, 2002·Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine·Nancy ControHarvey Cohen
Dec 3, 2003·Quality & Safety in Health Care·J C BenneyanP E Plsek
Apr 1, 2008·Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·Joanne WolfeJane C Weeks
May 24, 2012·Palliative & Supportive Care·Lori WienerErica Ludi
May 18, 2013·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Gesa GrohGian Domenico Borasio
Jul 17, 2014·The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care·Lisa C Lindley, Sheri L Edwards
Nov 2, 2014·Seminars in Oncology Nursing·Carmen Mandac, Vanessa Battista
Nov 18, 2014·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Stefan J FriedrichsdorfJoanne Wolfe
Oct 30, 2015·Pediatric Blood & Cancer·Katharine E BrockClare J Twist
Dec 8, 2015·Hematology·Lisa Humphrey, Tammy I Kang
Feb 10, 2018·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·Julia E SzymczakChris Feudtner
Dec 14, 2018·Cancer Medicine·Brian T ChengTenzin Wangmo
Dec 16, 2019·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·Andrea CuvielloRenee D Boss

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.