Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Mar 2015
Avoidable and unavoidable visits to the emergency department among patients with advanced cancer receiving outpatient palliative care.
Admissions to the emergency department (ED) can be distressing to patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care. There is limited research about the clinical characteristics of these patients and whether these ED visits can be categorized as avoidable or unavoidable. ⋯ Nearly one-fourth of ED visits by patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care were potentially avoidable. Proactive efforts to improve communication and support between scheduled appointments are needed.