Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 1, 2026
Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis
Published on: February 10, 2023
Validation of a concise screening tool for the identification of palliative care needs among inpatients: A
Samuel Shih-Chih Wang1, Chao-Ming Huang2, Rung-Chuang Feng2
1Department of Health and Welfare, University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan.
Background/Purpose:
Very few studies have investigated the screening tools that aim to identify the need of palliative care services among patients with advanced cancer or chronic non-malignant diseases. This study validated the one-page Taiwanese version-Palliative Care Screening Tool (TW-PCST) for screening inpatients with potential palliative care needs.
Method:
ROC curves were produced to examine the sensitivities and specificities at varying cut-off points. The optimal cut-off value to predict mortality was justified using the Youden's index. The screening was conducted on the first day of admission. Patients were prospectively followed-up after the baseline assessment. Three followed-up periods, namely 14 days, 90 days, and 180 days were analyzed.
Results:
A total of 21,596 patients were screened. AUCs for all cut-off scores varied from 0.84 to 0.88. A total-ABCD score ≥2 gave the highest Youden's index for 90 days and 180 days follow-up periods. The optimal cut-point for 14 days was score ≥3.
Conclusion:
The TW-PCST demonstrated a good sensitivity and specificity in identification of inpatients with palliative care needs. A total-ABCD score ≥2 may be considered as a trigger for further referral.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
00:59Hospitals-II
Nurses that work in...
01:28Hospitals-I
01:29Reliability and Validity
01:26Varicose Veins II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care