In the intensive care unit (ICU), every second counts when treating critically ill patients. But among the cutting-edge technologies, there is rarely any sort of defined process to swiftly identify patients who could benefit from palliative care services.
A recent study developed a screening tool to systematically assess palliative care needs for ICU patients at the point of admission and initiate automatic referrals for palliative care consultations when needed. The researchers reviewed 267 patient records and found that nearly one-quarter (22%) had positive screening results, indicating a potential need for palliative care consultation.
The study reported that 5 of the 6 patients (83%) who received palliative care consultations had their code statuses revised and healthcare decision-makers identified, demonstrating the profound impact of these services.
The study further analyzed data for 35 patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities. Seventeen of these patients (49%) had positive palliative care screening tool results, but only 6 of the 17 patients (17%) received referrals for timely palliative care consults, with an average delay of 8.5 days. This delay led to poorer outcomes, including 24% dying within 6 months and 29% readmitted within 30 days.
Project co-author Traci Phillips, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, board-certified adult acute care nurse practitioner and member of pulmonary and critical care services at the hospital, explained, “Delayed access to palliative care can result in untreated symptoms, lack of understanding of a patient’s care preferences and preventable admissions,” she said. “We designed our screening tool to automatically trigger requests for palliative care consultations for patients whose scores meet the defined criteria.”
The analysis also revealed an opportunity for the hospital to increase advance care planning discussions for patients being discharged to SNFs. These face-to-face conversations can help establish care goals and document the patient’s healthcare preferences while the patient is still involved in the decision-making process.
Palliative care screenings in ICU may lead to better patient outcomes, study finds
In the intensive care unit, every second counts when treating critically ill patients. But among the cutting-edge technologies, there is rarely any sort of defined process to swiftly identify patients who could benefit from palliative services.
A recent study developed a screening tool to systematically assess palliative care needs for ICU patients at the point of admission and initiate automatic referrals for palliative care consultations when needed. The researchers reviewed 267 patient records and found that nearly one-quarter (22%) had positive screening results, indicating a potential need for palliative care consultation.
The study reported that 5 of the 6 patients (83%) who received palliative care consultations had their code statuses revised and healthcare decision-makers identified, demonstrating the profound impact of these services.
The study further analyzed data for 35 patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities. Seventeen of these patients (49%) had positive palliative care screening tool results, but only 6 of the 17 patients (17%) received referrals for timely palliative care consults, with an average delay of 8.5 days. This delay led to poorer outcomes, including 24% dying within 6 months and 29% readmitted within 30 days.
Project co-author Traci Phillips, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, board-certified adult acute care nurse practitioner and member of pulmonary and critical care services at the hospital, explained, “Delayed access to palliative care can result in untreated symptoms, lack of understanding of a patient’s care preferences and preventable admissions,” she said. “We designed our screening tool to automatically trigger requests for palliative care consultations for patients whose scores meet the defined criteria.”
The analysis also revealed an opportunity for the hospital to increase advance care planning discussions for patients being discharged to SNFs. These face-to-face conversations can help establish care goals and document the patient’s healthcare preferences while the patient is still involved in the decision-making process.
