Providing pediatric palliative care through a pediatric supportive care team

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Palliative Care
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Children, despite expectations of survival, can die from congenital diseases, accidents, or illnesses.
• The death of a child has profound effects, which can be mitigated by palliative, hospice, and bereavement care.
• St. John Hospital (SJH) in Detroit, MI, established a Pediatric Palliative Care Committee to address this need.

Observation:

• The committee integrated staff from inpatient pediatric units, cancer centers, home care, and hospice services within the St. John Health System.
• This multidisciplinary team utilized existing staff and services to provide coordinated care for children with potentially life-limiting illnesses.

Findings:

• The multidisciplinary team approach led to increased patient and family satisfaction with care.
• Emergency room visits and inpatient hospital stays decreased.
• Informed decision-making and goal-setting by patients and families improved.
• Staff received enhanced support in caring for children with life-limiting illnesses, increasing their job satisfaction.

Implications:

• Coordinated, multidisciplinary pediatric palliative care can significantly improve patient and family experiences.
• This model demonstrates a potential to reduce healthcare utilization, such as emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
• Such programs offer crucial support to healthcare professionals managing complex pediatric cases.
• Implementing similar initiatives can enhance the quality of care and support for children facing life-limiting conditions and their families.