Journal of palliative medicine
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Background: Inpatient palliative care (PC) consultations are increasingly used to address operational challenges. We aimed to understand how PC consultations in a southeastern program, affected by pandemic-related care delays, impacted common clinical performance metrics. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a tertiary system's adult patients who received PC consultations from December 2021 to August 2022. ⋯ Despite a significantly longer length of stay (LOS) (12.46 days vs. 6.99 days, p < 0.001), the PC group experienced a lower readmission rate (adjusted odds ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval 0.44-0.65, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our cohort study using MS-DRG matching indicates that despite increased LOS, PC consultations were associated with significantly lower readmission rates. This suggests their potential to improve resource utilization, especially in regions affected by pandemic-deferred care.
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Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is one of the leading causes of death in patients with myocardial infarction, myocarditis, and congestive heart failure. The utilization patterns of specialist palliative care (PC) consultation in these patients are currently unknown. Objectives: To determine the utilization of PC in patients with CS and the overall comorbidities of that population. ⋯ Furthermore, the patients who received PC had significantly higher odds of death than those who did not (adjusted odds ratio = 6, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Despite high mortality rates, specialist PC is not routinely involved in the care of those who die with CS, although does appear to be utilized among those most likely to die. This suggests preferential utilization of specialist PC for terminal patients; however, further research will be helpful to better understand current consult practices and increase PC utilization for this highly morbid population.