Journal of palliative medicine
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Background: Music is a powerful therapeutic intervention to promote physical and psychological health, healing, and well-being. In pediatric palliative care, music therapists are often involved in preloss care. Heartbeat recordings (HBRs) synchronize the rhythm of the heartbeat into a favorite song. ⋯ Conclusions: Parents of children with PNDI experience chronic sorrow. The HBR assisted in meaning-making that validated the child's life and supported the parents' expression of grief and their ability to cope. Further research is needed to validate the impact of HBRs in diverse populations.
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There is growing interest in, and need for, integrating palliative care (PC) into the care of patients undergoing emergency surgery and those with traumatic injury. Thus, PC consults for these populations will likely grow in the coming years. Understanding the nuances and unique characteristics of these two acutely ill populations will improve the care that PC clinicians can provide. Using a modified Delphi technique, this article offers 10 tips that experts in the field, based on their broad clinical experience, believe PC clinicians should know about the care of trauma and emergency surgery patients.
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Context: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a surge of critically ill patients that strained health care systems throughout New York City in March and April of 2020. At the peak of the crisis, consults for palliative care increased four- to sevenfold at NewYork-Presbyterian (NYP), an academic health care system with 10 campuses throughout New York City. ⋯ We learned that flexibility and adaptability were critical to responding to a rapidly evolving crisis. Physician and family feedback and preliminary data suggest that virtual outpatient visits, embedded staff, hospice units, and team expansion through training other disciplines and deploying ePalliative Care services were impactful interventions.
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Observational Study
Use of a State Registry to Compare Practices of Physicians and Nurse Practitioners in Completing Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Forms.
Background: Understanding the role of nonphysicians in Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) completion is limited. Objectives: To examine the role that nurse practitioners (NPs) play in POLST completion and differences between NPs and physicians in POLST orders. Design: Retrospective observational study. ⋯ Conclusions: In WV, physician and NP POLST completion differs based on practice. NPs completed significantly more POLST forms on average and more often ordered comfort measures. NPs can play a significant role in POLST completion.