Advanced Practice Nurse Service Provision During the Last Week of Life

This secondary data analysis of a randomized clinical trial describes the contacts made by advanced practice nurses for long-term ventilator patients who were not receiving hospice services during their last week of life and for matched patients on long-term ventilators who did not die. The contacts were examined for a total of 64 patients (32 patients during their last week of life and 32 matched patients). There was a statistically significant difference in the total number of contacts for long-term ventilator patients during their last week of life compared to the matched patients. Most contacts in both groups were initiated by advanced practice nurses. The type, reason, and outcomes of contacts are described. Accessible and coordinated care during the last week of life is important for patients on long-term ventilators after discharge from the hospital, especially for those who are not receiving hospice services.