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Impact of a Palliative Care Education Module in Patients With Heart Failure
Shelley L Thompson1,2, Cary Ward1, Anthony Galanos1
1213852Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC, USA.
The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care
|April 10, 2020
Summary
Palliative care (PC) education for heart failure (HF) patients increased PC consults. However, this short-term study found no significant impact on mortality, readmissions, or intensive care unit transfers.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Palliative Care Medicine
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) affects millions of adults, necessitating symptom management and quality-of-life improvements.
- Palliative care (PC) is recommended for HF patients, yet timely referrals remain a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effect of a PC educational module on patient engagement with PC services.
- To evaluate the impact of PC introduction on consults, readmissions, mortality, and ICU transfers in HF patients.
Main Methods:
- Sixty patients admitted with HF were divided into two groups: one viewed a PC educational module, the other received usual care.
- Outcomes including PC consults, readmissions, mortality, and ICU transfers were compared between the intervention and control groups.
Main Results:
- Nine patients (30%) in the PC education group requested a consult versus two patients (6.7%) in the usual care group (P = .042).
- No statistically significant differences were observed in readmissions, mortality, or ICU transfers between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Palliative care education can enhance the likelihood of patients seeking PC consults.
- In the short term, PC education did not demonstrate a statistically significant impact on mortality, readmissions, or ICU transfers for HF patients.
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