The feasibility, sustainability and impact of embedding the AMBER care bundle at a tertiary cancer centre

The AMBER care bundle facilitates earlier conversations with patients and their family about uncertain recovery and has been validated in acute hospitals. However, this tool has not been reported in a tertiary cancer setting to date.

Determine the feasibility and impact of embedding the AMBER care bundle within a tertiary cancer centre.

The AMBER care bundle was launched in 2020 at a tertiary cancer centre, facilitated by a rolling education programme, digital tools and designated clinical leadership. Confidence with communicating uncertainty was collected pre- and post-training and clinical outcomes for patients supported by the AMBER care bundle were compared between baseline and 3 years post implementation.

Trainees' confidence in communicating uncertainty was statistically significantly improved following training (P<0.01). Patient outcomes improved, including achievement of preferred place of death, which increased from 8 to 80% over 3 years. The AMBER care bundle is feasible and effective when implemented within a tertiary cancer setting.