End of Life Care for Patients Dying of Stroke: A Comparative Registry Study of Stroke and Cancer

Nursing contribution to end-of-life care decision-making in patients with neurological diseases on an acute hospital ward: documentation of signs and symptoms

BACKGROUND

Recognizing impending death in patients with neurological diseases presents challenges for nurses and other healthcare professionals. This study aimed to identify nursing contribution to end-of-life (EOL) care decision-making for patients with neurological diseases in an acute hospital ward and to compare signs and symptoms among subgroups of patients.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, we analyzed data from 209 patient health records using the Neurological End-Of-Life Care Assessment Tool to evaluate the care in the last 3 to 7 days of life. Key aspects included the need for EOL care, EOL care decision-making, signs and symptoms of imminent death, and communication with relatives. The patient records pertain to patients who died in an acute neurological ward between January 2011 and August 2020; 123 with ischemic stroke, 48 with hemorrhagic stroke, 27 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS], and 11 with Parkinson's disease or extrapyramidal and movement disorders [PDoed]. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Nurses identified the need for EOL care in 36% of cases and contributed to EOL decision-making as information brokers (15%), advocates (6%), and supporters (6%). They identified disease progression in 44% of the cases. The mean number of signs and symptoms in both the acute and progressive disease groups was 6.5 and ranged from 1 to 14. Patients with stroke without a documented EOL decision had more severe symptoms, including respiratory congestion (68%) and dyspnea (37%), than those with EOL decision. A higher frequency of no food intake was documented in patients with stroke receiving EOL care (p = 0.007) compared to those without. Among patients with ALS or PDoed, those with EOL decision showed a trend toward a higher frequency of unconsciousness or limited consciousness than those without EOL decision (p = 0.067). For all groups of patients, conversations with relatives occurred in 85% instances and family meetings in 93%.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses made substantial contributions to EOL care decision-making for patients with neurological diseases. To improve early identification of imminent death in patients with neurological diseases in acute hospital wards, healthcare professionals must investigate barriers contributing to delayed recognition.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

Palliative care in policy documents for adults with cancer and non-cancer diseases with potential palliative care needs: a document analysis

Background

The inclusion of palliative care in policy has been encouraged internationally, and gradually implemented, including in Sweden. Care should be driven by policy; hence, examining how palliative care is included in national policy documents is paramount.

Objectives

This study aimed to examine how palliative care is included in national disease-specific policy documents for adults with chronic conditions, cancer and non-cancer, with potential palliative care needs.

Design

Document analysis.

Methods

A document analysis of Swedish policy documents for different disease-specific groups with severe chronic conditions, cancer and non-cancer, was performed. In total, 96 documents were analysed.

Results

How palliative care was included in the policy documents varied from mentioning the term without explanation to detailed discussion regarding palliative care practice. Such discussion encompassed several conceptualisations of palliative care: defined through authorities' definitions; as care of dying persons; integrated with disease-specific care and treatment; limited to disease-specific medical treatments or based on detail regarding certain key elements of palliative care such as specialised palliative care and end-of-life conversations.

Conclusion

There may be large variations in how palliative care is conceptualised in national disease-specific policy documents, as disclosed by this analysis of the Swedish case. Limiting palliative care to disease-specific medical treatments (most commonly palliative oncological treatments) or the care of dying persons limits its scope in ways contrary to current evidence supporting early integrated palliative care. The lack of palliative care recommendations adapted for each specific diagnosis indicates a gap in policy. To promote equal access to palliative care regardless of patients' diseases or medical conditions, the importance of how palliative care is included in national policy documents needs to be further acknowledged and discussed - with palliative care consistently included in such documents.

The impact of sex and gender on advanced stroke interventions and end-of-life outcomes after stroke

OBJECTIVES

In this review, we examine the impact of sex and gender on advanced stroke interventions and end-of-life outcomes after stroke and discuss the current theories, available evidence, and gaps in the literature.

METHODS

A scoping review of the literature was conducted to determine gender differences on advanced stroke interventions and end-of-life outcomes after stroke. The study team utilized PubMed to conduct a review of the literature and included research studies related to sex, gender, advanced stroke interventions, and end-of-life outcomes after stroke. The PRISMA process for conducting a scoping review was followed.

RESULTS

This review found that although evidence regarding gender differences in advanced stroke interventions and end-of-life care after stroke is disparate, some gender differences do indeed exist. Women are less likely to receive thrombectomy or alteplase, women are more likely to receive palliative care intervention, hospice, and women experience stroke mortality at higher rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Gender differences in end-of-life care after stroke are apparent with women experiencing lower rates of life sustaining interventions, and higher rates of mortality, palliative and hospice care. More research is needed to identify variables associated with or responsible for gender differences during advance interventions and end-of-life care after stroke.

Transition to end-of-life care in patients with neurological diseases in an acute hospital ward

BACKGROUND

Transitioning to end-of-life care and thereby changing the focus of treatment directives from life-sustaining treatment to comfort care is important for neurological patients in advanced stages. Late transition to end-of-life care for neurological patients has been described previously.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether previous treatment directives, primary medical diagnoses, and demographic factors predict the transition to end-of-life care and time to eventual death in patients with neurological diseases in an acute hospital setting.

METHOD

All consecutive health records of patients diagnosed with stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Parkinson's disease or other extrapyramidal diseases (PDoed), who died in an acute neurological ward between January 2011 and August 2020 were retrieved retrospectively. Descriptive statistics and multivariate Cox regression were used to examine the timing of treatment directives and death in relation to medical diagnosis, age, gender, and marital status.

RESULTS

A total of 271 records were involved in the analysis. Patients in all diagnostic categories had a treatment directive for end-of-life care, with patients with haemorrhagic stroke having the highest (92%) and patients with PDoed the lowest (73%) proportion. Cox regression identified that the likelihood of end-of-life care decision-making was related to advancing age (HR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.007-1.039, P = 0.005), ischaemic stroke (HR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.034-2.618, P = 0.036) and haemorrhagic stroke (HR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.219-3.423, P = 0.007) diagnoses. End-of-life care decision occurred from four to twenty-two days after hospital admission. The time from end-of-life care decision to death was a median of two days. Treatment directives, demographic factors, and diagnostic categories did not increase the likelihood of death following an end-of-life care decision.

CONCLUSIONS

Results show not only that neurological patients transit late to end-of-life care but that the timeframe of the decision differs between patients with acute neurological diseases and those with progressive neurological diseases, highlighting the particular significance of the short timeframe of patients with the progressive neurological diseases ALS and PDoed. Different trajectories of patients with neurological diseases at end-of-life should be further explored and clinical guidelines expanded to embrace the high diversity in neurological patients.

End-of-Life Symptoms in Adult Patients With Stroke in the Last Two Years of Life: An Integrative Review

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a leading cause of death globally, yet End-of-Life (EOL) symptoms and their management in these patients are not well understood.

PURPOSE

This integrative review aims to critique and synthesize research on EOL symptoms and symptom management in adult patients with stroke in the last 2 years of life in all settings.

METHODS

The Whittemore and Knafl integrative review methodology guided this review. PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were used for the literature search. Included studies were published in English and quantitatively examined symptoms and symptom management. Quality appraisal was guided by the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) assessment tool.

RESULTS

Seven studies, all rated weak, were included in this review. A total of 2175 adult patients from six countries were represented. Results are classified into three main themes: EOL symptom experience, symptom assessment, and symptom management. Commonly reported EOL symptoms among adults with stroke include both stroke-specific (dysphagia, dysarthria) and non-specific symptoms (pain, dyspnea, constipation, and psychological distress). However, communication difficulties and the infrequent use of standardized tools for symptom assessment limit what is known about the EOL symptom experience. Although the relief of pain is generally well-documented, dyspnea and anxiety are much more poorly controlled.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for better assessment and management of EOL symptoms in patients with stroke. Established palliative and EOL care guidelines need to be incorporated into clinical practice to ensure access to high-quality care.

Developing and testing inter-rater reliability of a data collection tool for patient health records on end-of-life care of neurological patients in an acute hospital ward

AIM

Develop and test a data collection tool-Neurological End-Of-Life Care Assessment Tool (NEOLCAT)-for extracting data from patient health records (PHRs) on end-of-life care of neurological patients in an acute hospital ward.

DESIGN

Instrument development and inter-rater reliability (IRR) assessment.

METHOD

NEOLCAT was constructed from patient care items obtained from clinical guidelines and literature on end-of-life care. Expert clinicians reviewed the items. Using percentage agreement and Fleiss' kappa we calculated IRR on 32 nominal items, out of 76 items.

RESULTS

IRR of NEOLCAT showed 89% (range 83%-95%) overall categorical percentage agreement. The Fleiss' kappa categorical coefficient was 0.84 (range 0.71-0.91). There was fair or moderate agreement on six items, and moderate or almost perfect agreement on 26 items.

CONCLUSION

The NEOLCAT shows promising psychometric properties for studying clinical components of care of neurological patients at the end-of-life on an acute hospital ward but could be further developed in future studies.

Attitudes of Canadian stroke physicians regarding palliative care for patients with acute severe stroke: A national survey

BACKGROUND

Palliative care (PC) aims to enhance the quality of life for patients and their families when confronted with serious illness.  As stroke continues to inflict high morbidity and mortality, the integration of palliative care within acute stroke care remains an important aspect of quality inpatient care.

AIM

This study aims to investigate the experiences and perceived barriers of PC integration for patients with acute severe stroke in Canadian stroke physicians.

METHODS

We conducted an anonymous, descriptive, cross-sectional web-based self-administered survey of stroke physicians in Canada who engage in acute severe stroke care. The questionnaire contained three sections related to stroke physician characteristics, practice attributes, and opinions about palliative care.  Descriptive statistics, univariate, and regression analysis were performed to ascertain relations between collected variables.

RESULTS

Of the 132 physician associate members, 120 were surveyed with a response rate of 69 (58%). Stroke physicians reported that PC services were consulted "sometimes" and that PC services were consulted rarely for prognostication and more often for end-of-life care which they agreed was better delivered off the stroke unit. Several barriers for early integration of palliative care services were identified including uncertainty in prognosis. Stroke physicians endorsed education of both families and physicians would be beneficial.

CONCLUSIONS

There remain perceived barriers for integration of palliative care within the acute stroke population. Challenges include consultation of PC services, uncertainty around patient prognosis, engagement, and educational barriers. There are opportunities for further integration and collaboration between palliative care physicians and stroke physicians.

Update on Prevalence of Pain in Patients with Cancer 2022: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Experiencing pain and insufficient relief can be devastating and negatively affect a patient's quality of life. Developments in oncology such as new treatments and adjusted pain management guidelines may have influenced the prevalence of cancer pain and severity in patients. This review aims to provide an overview of the prevalence and severity of pain in cancer patients in the 2014-2021 literature period. A systematic literature search was performed using the databases PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane. Titles and abstracts were screened, and full texts were evaluated and assessed on methodological quality. A meta-analysis was performed on the pooled prevalence and severity rates. A meta-regression analysis was used to explore differences between treatment groups. We identified 10,637 studies, of which 444 studies were included. The overall prevalence of pain was 44.5%. Moderate to severe pain was experienced by 30.6% of the patients, a lower proportion compared to previous research. Pain experienced by cancer survivors was significantly lower compared to most treatment groups. Our results imply that both the prevalence of pain and pain severity declined in the past decade. Increased attention to the assessment and management of pain might have fostered the decline in the prevalence and severity of pain.

Palliative care approaches to acute stroke in the hospital setting

Stroke is a prevalent neurologic condition that portends a high risk of morbidity and mortality such that patients impacted by stroke and their caregivers can benefit from palliative care at the time of diagnosis and throughout the disease trajectory. Clinicians who care for stroke patients should be adept at establishing rapport with patients and caregivers, delivering serious news, responding to emotions, discussing prognosis, and establishing goals of care efficiently in an acute stroke setting. Aggressive stroke care can be integrated with a palliative approach to care that involves aligning the available treatment options with a patient's values and goals of care. Reassessing the goals throughout the hospitalization provides an opportunity for continued shared decision-making about the intensity of poststroke interventions. The palliative needs for stroke patients may increase over time depending on the severity of disease, poststroke complications, stroke-related symptoms, and treatment intensity preferences. If the decision is made to transition the focus of care to comfort, the support of an interdisciplinary palliative care or hospice team can be beneficial to the patient, family members, and surrogate decision makers.

The Challenge: Equal Availability to Palliative Care According to Individual Need Regardless of Age, Diagnosis, Geographical Location, and Care Level

The European Council, the World Health Organization, the International Association of Hospice and Palliative Care, and various other national guidelines emphasize equal provision of palliative care. To fulfill this vision, all involved need to be aware of the existing situation even in western European countries. Data from the European Atlas of Palliative Care and the Swedish Registry of Palliative Care are used to illustrate the present inequalities. The data illustrate the unequal provision of palliative care relating to level of care, place of residence, diagnoses, and age. The challenge of providing equal palliative care remains, even in Western European countries, in spite of all positive developments. Different approaches that may contribute to successful implementation of equal palliative care are discussed. The challenge is still there and will require some effort to resolve.

Levels and Determinants of Place-Of-Death Congruence in Palliative Patients: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Congruence, understood as the agreement between the patient's preferred place of death and their actual place of death, is emerging as one of the main variables indicating the quality of end-of-life care. The aim of this research was to conduct a systematic literature review on levels and determinants of congruence in palliative patients over the period 2010-2021. Method: A systematic review of the literature in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cuiden, the Cochrane Library, CSIC Indexes, and IBECS. Information was extracted on research characteristics, congruence, and associated factors. Results: A total of 30 studies were identified, mainly of retrospective observational design. The congruence values varied substantially between the various studies, ranging from 21 to 100%. The main predictors of congruence include illness-related factors (functional status, treatments and diagnosis), individual factors (age, gender, marital status, and end of life preferences), and environmental factors (place of residence, availability of health, and palliative care services). Conclusion: This review, in comparison with previous studies, shows that treatment-related factors such as physical pain control, marital status, having a non-working relative, age, discussing preferred place of death with a healthcare professional, and caregiver's preference have been associated with higher levels of congruence. Depending on the study, other factors have been associated with either higher or lower congruence, such as the patient's diagnosis, gender, or place of residence. This information is useful for designing interventions aimed towards greater congruence at the end of life.

The influence of care place and diagnosis on care communication at the end of life: bereaved family members' perspective

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of care place and diagnosis on care communication during the last 3 months of life for people with advanced illness, from the bereaved family members' perspective.

METHOD

A retrospective survey design using the VOICES(SF) questionnaire with a sample of 485 bereaved family members (aged: 20-90 years old, 70% women) of people who died in hospital was employed to meet the study aim.

RESULTS

Of the deceased people, 79.2% had at some point received care at home, provided by general practitioners (GPs) (52%), district nurses (36.7%), or specialized palliative home care (17.9%), 27.4% were cared for in a nursing home and 15.7% in a specialized palliative care unit. The likelihood of bereaved family members reporting that the deceased person was treated with dignity and respect by the staff was lowest in nursing homes (OR: 0.21) and for GPs (OR: 0.37). A cancer diagnosis (OR: 2.36) or if cared for at home (OR: 2.17) increased the likelihood of bereaved family members reporting that the deceased person had been involved in decision making regarding care and less likely if cared for in a specialized palliative care unit (OR: 0.41). The likelihood of reports of unwanted decisions about the care was higher if cared for in a nursing home (OR: 1.85) or if the deceased person had a higher education (OR: 2.40).

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS

This study confirms previous research about potential inequalities in care at the end of life. The place of care and diagnosis influenced the bereaved family members' reports on whether the deceased person was treated with respect and dignity and how involved the deceased person was in decision making regarding care.

Equal palliative care for foreign-born patients: A national quality register study

OBJECTIVES

To use data from a national quality register to investigate if there are differences relating to migrant background in the quality of end-of-life care of patients dying in Sweden.

METHODS

A retrospective, comparative register-based study. In total, 81,418 deceased patients, over 18 years of age, registered in the Swedish Register of Palliative Care during 2017 and 2018, of expected death were included in the study. Of these, 72,012 were Swedish-born and 9,395 were foreign-born. Descriptive and analytical statistical methods were used.

RESULTS

No general pattern of differences in quality regarding end-of-life care was found between Swedish- and foreign-born patients. There were several significant differences in various quality indicators but not in a specific direction. Sometimes, the quality indicators showed an advantage for Swedish-born patients but just as often, they were also favorable for foreign-born patients. Swedish-born patients had greater access to specialized palliative care than foreign-born patients. Foreign-born patients were more often cared for in general home care setting, despite a higher frequency of cancer diagnosis.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS

Foreign-born patients were less likely to be cared for in specialized palliative care units and had poorer access to palliative care teams than Swedish-born patients, despite having a higher proportion of cancer diagnoses. However, no general pattern was found indicating that foreign-born patients were disadvantaged in the quality indicators measured in the present study. Perhaps, this is an indication that the palliative care in Sweden is individualized; nonetheless, the quality of end-of-life care would be higher if dying patients, regardless of country of birth, have better access to specialized palliative care.

Cultures that collide: an ethnographic study of the introduction of a palliative care consultation team on acute wards

Background

Acute care and palliative care (PC) are described as different incompatible organisational care cultures. Few studies have observed the actual meeting between these two cultures. In this paper we report part of ethnographic results from an intervention study where a palliative care consultation team (PCCT) used an integrative bedside education approach, trying to embed PC principles and interventions into daily practice in acute wards.

Purpose

To study the meeting and interaction of two different care cultures, palliative care and curative acute wards, when a PCCT introduces consulting services to acute wards regarding end-of-life palliative care, focusing on the differences between the cultures.

Methods

An ethnographic study design was used, including observations, interviews and diary entries. A PCCT visited acute care wards during 1 year. The analysis was inspired by Spradleys ethnography.

Results

Three themes were found: 1) Anticipations meets reality; 2) Valuation of time and prioritising; and 3) The content and creation of palliative care.

Conclusion

There are many differences in values, and the way PC are provided in the acute care wards compared to what a PCCT expects. The didactic challenges are many and the PC require effort.

Palliative care after stroke: A review

BACKGROUND

Palliative care is an integral aspect of stroke unit care. In 2016, the American Stroke Association published a policy statement on palliative care and stroke. Since then there has been an expansion in the literature on palliative care and stroke.

AIM

Our aim was to narratively review research on palliative care and stroke, published since 2015.

RESULTS

The literature fell into three broad categories: (a) scope and scale of palliative care needs, (b) organization of palliative care for stroke, and (c) shared decision making. Most literature was observational. There was a lack of evidence about interventions that address specific palliative symptoms or improve shared decision making. Racial disparities exist in access to palliative care after stroke. There was a dearth of literature from low- and middle-income countries.

CONCLUSION

We recommend further research, especially in low- and middle-income countries, including research to explore why racial disparities in access to palliative care exist. Randomized trials are needed to address specific palliative care needs after stroke and to understand how best to facilitate shared decision making.

End-of-life care in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A comparative registry study

BACKGROUND

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease requiring palliative care. End-of-life care has been well studied in patients with incurable cancer, but less is known about the quality of such care for patients with ALS.

AIM

To study whether the quality of end-of-life care the last week in life for patients dying from ALS differed compared to patients with cancer in terms of registered symptoms, symptom management, and communication.

DESIGN

This retrospective comparative registry study used data from the Swedish Registry of Palliative Care for 2012-2016. Each patient with ALS (n = 825) was matched to 4 patients with cancer (n = 3,300).

RESULTS

Between-group differences in assessments for pain and other symptoms were significant (p < 0.01), and patients with ALS had fewer as-needed injection drugs prescribed than patients with cancer. Patients with ALS also had dyspnea and anxiety significantly more often than patients with cancer. There was no significant difference in communication about transition to end-of-life care between the two groups. Patients dying from ALS received artificial nutrition on their last day of life significantly more often than patients with cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that patients with ALS receive poorer end-of-life care than patients dying from cancer in terms of validated symptom assessments, prescription of as-needed drugs, and timely cessation of artificial nutrition. Educational efforts seem needed to facilitate equal care of dying patients, regardless of diagnosis.

Ethical Issues in the Treatment of Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease

There is hope that the continuing efforts of researchers will yield a disease-modifying drug for Alzheimer’s disease. Such a drug is likely to be capable of halting, or significantly slowing, the underlying pathological processes driving cognitive decline; however, it is unlikely to be capable of restoring brain function already lost through the pathological process. A therapy capable of halting Alzheimer’s disease, while not providing restoration of function, may prompt serious ethical questions. For example, is there a stage in the disease process when it becomes too late for therapeutic intervention to commence? And who bears the responsibility of making such a decision? Conversations regarding the ethics of treating neurodegenerative conditions with non-restorative drugs have been largely absent within both clinical and research communities. Such discussions are urgently required to ensure that patients’ rights and well-being are protected when such therapeutic options become available.

Influence of nurse's involvement on practices during end-of-life decisions within stroke units

OBJECTIVES

Decision-making processes concerning end-of-life decisions are not well understood for patients admitted into stroke units with severe stroke. To assess the influence of nurses on the medical perspectives and approaches that lead to withholding and/or withdrawing treatments related to end-of-life (EOL) decisions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This secondary analysis nested within the TELOS French national survey was based on a physicians' self-report questionnaire and on a I-Score which was linked to nurses' involvement. Physician's responses were evaluated to assess the potential influence of nurse's involvement on physician's choices during an end-of-life decision.

RESULTS

Among the 120 questionnaires analyzed, end-of-life decisions were more often made during a round-table discussion (58% vs. 35%, p = 0.004) when physicians declare to involve nurses in the decision process. Neurologists involved with nurses in decision making were more likely to withhold a treatment (98% vs. 88%, p = 0.04), to withdraw artificial feeding and hydration (59% vs. 39%, p = 0.04), and more frequently prescribed analgesics and hypnotics at a potentially lethal dose (70% vs. 48%, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

The involvement of nurses during end-of-life decisions for patients with acute stroke in stroke units seemed to influence neurologists' intensivist practices and behaviors. Nurses supported the physicians' decisions related to forgoing life sustaining treatment for patients with acute stroke and may positively impact on the family's choice to participate in end-of-life decisions.

Bereaved Family Members' Satisfaction with Care during the Last Three Months of Life for People with Advanced Illness

BACKGROUND

Studies evaluating the end-of-life care for longer periods of illness trajectories and in several care places are currently lacking. This study explored bereaved family members' satisfaction with care during the last three months of life for people with advanced illness, and associations between satisfaction with care and characteristics of the deceased individuals and their family members.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey design was used. The sample was 485 family members of individuals who died at four different hospitals in Sweden.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 78.7% rated the overall care as high. For hospice care, 87.1% reported being satisfied, 87% with the hospital care, 72.3% with district/county nurses, 65.4% with nursing homes, 62.1% with specialized home care, and 59.6% with general practitioners (GPs). Family members of deceased persons with cancer were more likely to have a higher satisfaction with the care. A lower satisfaction was more likely if the deceased person had a higher educational attainment and a length of illness before death of one year or longer.

CONCLUSION

The type of care, diagnoses, length of illness, educational attainment, and the relationship between the deceased person and the family member influences the satisfaction with care.

How We Should Assess the Delivery of End-Of-Life Care in General Practice? A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The majority of end-of-life (EOL) care occurs in general practice. However, we still have little knowledge about how this care is delivered or how it can be assessed and supported.

AIM

(i) To review the existing evaluation tools used for assessment of the delivery of EOL care from the perspective of general practice; (ii) To describe how EOL care is provided in general practice; (iii) To identify major areas of concern in providing EOL care in this context.

DESIGN

A systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

Systematic searches of major electronic databases (Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL) from inception to 2017 were used to identify evaluation tools focusing on organizational structures/systems and process of end-of-life care from a general practice perspective.

RESULTS

A total of 43 studies representing nine evaluation tools were included. A relatively restricted focus and lack of validation were common limitations. Key general practitioner (GP) activities assessed by the evaluation tools were summarized and the main issues in current GP EOL care practice were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The review of evaluation tools revealed that GPs are highly involved in management of patients at the EOL, but there are a range of issues relating to the delivery of care. An EOL care registration system integrated with electronic health records could provide an optimal approach to address the concerns about recall bias and time demands in retrospective analyses. Such a system should ideally capture the core GP activities and any major issues in care provision on a case-by-case basis.

Quality of end-of-life care in patients with dementia compared to patients with cancer: A population-based register study

Introduction

Globally, dementia is one of the leading causes of death. Given the growing elderly population in the world, the yearly number of deaths by dementia is expected to increase. Patients dying from dementia are reported to suffer from a burden of symptoms similar to that of patients with cancer, but receive less medication against symptoms, have a lower probability of palliative care planning and seldom have access to specialised palliative care. Studies investigating the quality of palliative care in dementia are scarce. The aim of this Swedish national study was to compare the quality of end-of-life care between patients with dementia and patients with cancer regardless of place of care.

Methods

Thirteen end-of-life care quality indicators collected by the Swedish Register of Palliative Care (SRPC) were compared between patients dying from dementia and patients dying from cancer. Data were collected from deaths occurring in nursing homes, hospitals, specialised and general palliative home care, and palliative in-patient units during a three-year period (during March 2012 to February 2015). Analyses were performed using a multivariable logistic regression model, adjusted for age and gender. A subgroup of patients with Alzheimer’s disease was identified and compared to patients with other and unspecified types of dementia.

Results

A total of 4624 deaths from Alzheimer’s disease, 11 804deaths from other dementia diagnoses and 51 609 deaths from cancer were included. For six of the 13 quality indicators examined (prescription of PRN drugs against nausea and anxiety, information and bereavement support offered to next of kin, pain assessment and specialised palliative care consultations), poorer outcomes were shown for the dementia group in comparison to the cancer group. Two outcomes (prevalence of pressure ulcers and fluid therapy during the last 24 hours in life) showed better outcomes for the dementia group. The outcomes for the 13 quality indicators were similar for patients with Alzheimer’s disease compared to patients with other and unspecified types of dementia.

Conclusions

The findings in this study indicates that patients dying from Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia receive a poorer quality of end-of-life care concerning several important end-of-life care areas when compared to patients dying from cancer. Guidelines for end-of-life care in Sweden cannot explain or justify these differences. Further studies are needed to find possible ways to improve end-of-life care in the large and growing group of patients dying from dementia.

Factors Associated With Symptom Relief in End-of-Life Care in Residential Care Homes: A National Register-Based Study

CONTEXT

Residential care homes (RCHs) are a common place of death. Previous studies have reported a high prevalence of symptoms such as pain and shortness of breath among residents in the last week of life.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to explore the presence of symptoms and symptom relief and identify factors associated with symptom relief of pain, nausea, anxiety, and shortness of breath among RCH residents in end-of-life care.

METHODS

The data consisted of all expected deaths at RCHs registered in the Swedish Register of Palliative Care (N = 22,855). Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Pain was reported as the most frequent symptom of the four symptoms (68.8%) and the one that most often had been totally relieved (84.7%) by care professionals. Factors associated with relief from at least one symptom were gender; age; time in the RCH; use of a validated pain or symptom assessment scale; documented end-of-life discussions with physicians for both the residents and family members; consultations with other units; diseases other than cancer as cause of death; presence of ulcers; assessment of oral health; and prescribed pro re nata injections for pain, nausea, and anxiety.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that use of a validated pain assessment scale, assessment of oral health, and prescribed pro re nata injections for pain, nausea, and anxiety might offer a way to improve symptom relief. These clinical tools and medications should be implemented in the care of the dying in RCHs, and controlled trials should be undertaken to prove the effect.

Outcomes, experiences and palliative care in major stroke: a multicentre, mixed-method, longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Case fatality after total anterior circulation stroke is high. Our objective was to describe the experiences and needs of patients and caregivers, and to explore whether, and how, palliative care should be integrated into stroke care.

METHODS

From 3 stroke services in Scotland, we recruited a purposive sample of people with total anterior circulation stroke, and conducted serial, qualitative interviews with them and their informal and professional caregivers at 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year. Interviews were transcribed for thematic and narrative analysis. The Palliative Care Outcome Scale, EuroQol-5D-5L and Caregiver Strain Index questionnaires were completed after interviews. We also conducted a data linkage study of all patients with anterior circulation stroke admitted to the 3 services over 6 months, which included case fatality, place of death and readmissions.

RESULTS

Data linkage (n = 219) showed that 57% of patients with total anterior circulation stroke died within 6 months. The questionnaires recorded that the patients experienced immediate and persistent emotional distress and poor quality of life. We conducted 99 interviews with 34 patients and their informal and professional careers. We identified several major themes. Patients and caregivers faced death or a life not worth living. Those who survived felt grief for a former life. Professionals focused on physical rehabilitation rather than preparation for death or limited recovery. Future planning was challenging. "Palliative care" had connotations of treatment withdrawal and imminent death.

INTERPRETATION

Major stroke brings likelihood of death but little preparation. Realistic planning with patients and informal caregivers should be offered, raising the possibility of death or survival with disability. Practising the principles of palliative care is needed, but the term "palliative care" should be avoided or reframed.

Reflection on stroke deaths and end-of-life stroke care

BACKGROUND

The benefit of palliative care referral for severe stroke patients on end-of-life care pathway (EOLCP) is increasingly recognised. Palliative care provides assistance with symptom management and transition to end-of-life care. Advance care planning (ACP) may help accommodate patient/family expectations and guide management.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of all stroke deaths (2014-2015) at Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Data examined included age, comorbidities, living arrangements, pre-existing ACP, palliative care referral rates and 'survival time'.

RESULTS

In total, 123 patient (mean age ± SD = 76 ± 13 years) deaths were identified from 1067 stroke admissions (11.5% mortality); 64 (52%) patients had ischaemic stroke and 59 (48%) intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), and 40% suffered a prior stroke, and 43% required a carer at home or were in an aged care facility. Survival time from admission was significantly longer in patients with ischaemic stroke compared to intracerebral haemorrhage (median, interquartile range [IQR]: 9.5 [18] vs 2 [4] days, P < 0.001). Only two patients had pre-existing ACP; 44% of patients were referred to palliative care and 41% were commenced on dedicated EOLCP. Palliative care referral was less likely in patients who died under neurosurgery. EOLCP were significantly less likely to be commenced in patients who underwent acute intervention or were not referred to palliative care.

CONCLUSION

In this cohort, palliative care referral and EOLCP were commenced in less than 50% of patients, highlighting significant variations in clinical care. These data support the need to promote awareness of ACP, particularly in patients with prior stroke or significant comorbidities. This may help reduce potentially futile invasive investigations and treatment.

Different utilization of intensive care services (ICSs) for patients dying of hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, a hospital-based survey

The intensive care service (ICS) saves lives and rescues the neurological function of stroke patients. We wondered the different utilization of ICS for patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, especially those who died within 30 days after stroke.Sixty-seven patients died during 2011 to 2015 due to acute stroke (42 due to intracranial hemorrhage [ICH]; 25 due to cerebral infarct [CI]). The durations of hospital stay (hospital staying days [HSDs]) and ICS staying days (ISDs) and codes of the do-not-resuscitate (DNR) were surveyed among these medical records. Statistics included chi-square and descriptive analyses.In this study, CI patients had a longer HSD (mean 14.3 days), as compared with ICH patients (mean 8.3 days); however, the ICH patients had a higher percentage of early entry within the first 24 hours of admission into ICS than CI group (95.1% vs 60.0%, P = .003). A higher rate of CI patients died in holidays or weekends than those with ICH (44.0% vs 21.4%, P = .051). DNR, requested mainly from direct descendants (children or grandchildren), was coded in all 25 CI patients (100.0%) and 38 ICH patients (90.5%). More cases with early DNR coded within 24 hours after admission occurred in ICH group (47%, 12% in CI patients, P = .003). None of the stroke patient had living wills. Withhold of endotracheal intubation (ETI) occurred among CI patients, more than for ICH patients (76.0% vs 18.4%, P < .005).In conclusion, CI patients longer HSD, ISD, higher mortality within holidays or weekends, and higher ETI withhold; but less percentage of ICS utilization expressed by a lower ISD/HSD ratio. This ICS utilization is a key issue of medical quality for stroke care.

Palliative care access for hospitalized patients with end-stage liver disease across the United States

Patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) often have a high symptom burden. Historically, palliative care (PC) services have been underused in this population. We investigated the use of PC services in patients with ESLD hospitalized across the United States. We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to conduct a retrospective nationwide cohort analysis. All patients >18 years of age admitted with ESLD, defined as those with at least two liver decompensation events, were included in the analysis. A multivariate logistic regression model predicting referral to PC was created. We analyzed 55,208,382 hospitalizations from the 2006-2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, with 39,349 (0.07%) patients meeting study inclusion. PC consultation was performed in 1,789 (4.5%) ESLD patients. The rate of PC referral in ESLD increased from 0.97% in 2006 to 7.1% in 2012 (P < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, factors associated with lower referral to PC were Hispanic race (odds ratio [OR], 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66-0.89; P < 0.01) and insurance coverage (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.65-0.84; P < 0.01). Factors associated with increased referral to PC were age (per 5-year increase, OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.03-1.08; P < 0.01), do-not-resuscitate status (OR, 16.24; 95% CI, 14.20-18.56; P < 0.01), treatment in a teaching hospital (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.12-1.39; P < 0.01), presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.71-2.33; P < 0.01), and presence of metastatic cancer (OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.80-3.18; P < 0.01). PC referral was most common in west coast hospitals (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.53-2.14; P < 0.01) as well as large-sized hospitals (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.22-1.82; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

From 2006 to 2012 the use of PC in ESLD patients increased substantially; socioeconomic, geographical, and ethnic barriers to accessing PC were observed. (Hepatology 2017;66:1585-1591).

End of life after stroke: A nationwide study of 42,502 deaths occurring within a year after stroke

Introduction

In the scientific literature, there is very limited empirical information on end-of-life issues after stroke in the scientific literature. The present nationwide study describes the circumstances surrounding deaths that occur within a year after a stroke.

Patients and methods

Datasets from three nationwide Swedish registers (on stroke, palliative care and cause of death) were linked. Basic information was available for 42,502 unselected cases of death that occurred within a year after a stroke and more detailed information was available for 16,408 deaths. Odds ratios for characteristics of end-of-life care were calculated by logistic regression.

Results

In the late phase after stroke (three months to one year), 46% of patients died in a nursing home, whereas 37% of patients died in a hospital after readmission and 10% of patients died at home. Eleven per cent of deaths were reported as being unexpected. A next of kin was present at 49% of deaths. The frequency of unattended deaths (neither next of kin nor staff were present at the time of death) ranged from 5% at home with specialised home care to 25% in hospitals.

Discussion

This is, by far, the largest study published on end-of-life issues after stroke. Major differences between countries in healthcare, community services, family structure and culture may limit direct transfer of the present results to other settings.

Conclusion

There is considerable discordance between presumed 'good death' late after stroke (dying at home surrounded by family members) and the actual circumstances at the end of life.

Palliative Care Needs in an Acute Internal Medicine Ward in Mexico

BACKGROUND

Palliative care is an evolving but underdeveloped practice in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE

The primary end point of this prospective observational study was to identify internal medicine inpatients fulfilling advanced criteria within a second-level hospital. Secondary end points were symptom burden, treatment, resource utilization, and one-year survival.

DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS

The 390-sample size calculation was based on previous studies where 15% of inpatients fulfilled palliative care needs. Consecutive admissions were assessed to identify patients with any of the following: cancer, cardiac, renal, hepatic insufficiency, COPD, AIDS, stroke, or fragility until sample size was completed. After obtaining informed consent, interview to patient, attending physician, and chart review was completed to identify any of the following advanced disease criteria in each patient: (1) Surprise question to attending physician of the possibility of the patient dying in the following year, (2) Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) <50, and (3) Advanced disease specific criteria. Interview also included presence of symptoms, functional capacity, and previous resource utilization. Treatment offered was analyzed only on day of admission. One-year follow-up to assess survival was done through the state death certificates.

RESULTS

Out of 390 patients, 131 (34%) had any of the diseases studied. Out of 131 patients, 86 (66%) had at least one of the three inclusion criteria for advanced disease. Out of 86 patients, 70 (81%) advanced disease patients died after one-year follow-up. Comparison between patients with no advanced disease (no criteria) versus advanced disease (at least one criteria) showed a significant difference in mean PPS, nutrition status, survival days, inhospital death, weight loss, dependency on activities of daily living, and previous multiple emergency room visits. Advanced disease patients with no death at one year follow-up had significantly more new admissions to that hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of patients requiring palliative care in internal medicine wards may be excessive to the current palliative care structures available.