Journal of palliative medicine
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Multicenter Study
Predictors of Physical Restraint Use in Hospitalized Veterans at End of Life: An Analysis of Data from the BEACON Trial.
The use of physical restraints in dying patients may be a source of suffering and loss of dignity. Little is known about the prevalence or predictors for restraint use at end of life in the hospital setting. ⋯ This is the first study to document that one in six hospitalized veterans were restrained at the time of death and to identify predictors of restraint use. Further research is needed to identify intervention opportunities.
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Multicenter Study
Perceptions of lethal fetal abnormality among perinatal professionals and the challenges of neonatal palliative care.
After prenatal diagnosis of lethal fetal abnormality (LFA), some couples choose to continue the pregnancy rather than opt for termination of the pregnancy. This may result in the requirement for neonatal palliative care, which in France is prescribed by the Leonetti Law. These rare situations raise various questions about when and how palliative care is provided in cases of LFA. ⋯ Consistency as regards the perceived intention of care among all members of the health care team is essential to support parents facing a possible fatal outcome. Attitudes and practices at Multidisciplinary Centers for Prenatal Diagnosis need to be shaped on a national basis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Feasibility and acceptability of a collaborative care intervention to improve symptoms and quality of life in chronic heart failure: mixed methods pilot trial.
People with chronic heart failure (HF) suffer from numerous symptoms that worsen quality of life. The CASA (Collaborative Care to Alleviate Symptoms and Adjust to Illness) intervention was designed to improve symptoms and quality of life by integrating palliative and psychosocial care into chronic care. ⋯ The CASA intervention was feasible based on participant enrollment, cohort retention, implementation of medical recommendations, minimal missing data, and acceptability. Several intervention changes were made based on participant feedback.
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Although hospices need to be able to anticipate patient acuity, there are currently no published models that predict the frequency of visits that a new hospice patient is likely to receive. ⋯ An acuity index based on these variables could help hospices to better anticipate patient needs and staff workload, and could be used to guide strategic planning as hospices take part in accountable care organizations (ACOs).
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Multicenter Study
Polypharmacy and drug omissions across hospices in Northern Ireland.
Polypharmacy and drug omissions (DO) (i.e., drugs prescribed but not administered) may impact on quality of life of hospice inpatients. ⋯ Polypharmacy is prevalent among hospice inpatients. Drugs omitted amounted to 8.8%, with the frequency of DO increasing in those who were dying. Documentation justifying DO was lacking. Daily focused drug chart review, pharmacy support, and electronic prescribing may all help to reduce and rationalize medication burden and aid prompt and effective management of DO.