End-of-life preferences in advanced cancer patients willing to discuss issues surrounding their terminal condition

Source: European Journal of Cancer Care

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Date of publication: April 2012

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: The aim of the study is to describe end-of-life preferences of advanced cancer patients willing to talk about death issues. Eighty-eight advanced cancer patients were interviewed through End of Life Preferences Interview (ELPI), a 23-item interview covering a wide range of end-of-life care issues. Most interviewed subjects were home care patients. The article concludes that ELPI can be a useful instrument to adapt the model of care to the specific needs and values of each patient.

Some important notes: This article is only available online at present. For assistance in obtaining a copy of this article, please contact your local NHS Library. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

 

A narrative literature review of the evidence regarding the economic impact of avoidable hospitalizations amongst palliative care patients in the UK

Source:  Progress in Palliative Care, 19, (6), p291-298.

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 Date of publication:  November 2011

Publication type:  article

In a nutshell:  This article provides a narrative review of evidence relating to the potential economic impact of reducing avoidable admissions among palliative care patients in the UK.  A search for evidence on the economic consequences of avoidable hospital admissions among palliative care patients was conducted, and five studies met the inclusion criteria.  The limited evidence showed that avoidable readmission rates are high. The full economic consequences of reducing readmissions however, has not been addressed.  The authors call for more evidence with a focus on the economic implications for community care versus acute care.

Length of publication:  8 pages

Some important notes:  Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement:  EMBASE

Achieving the preferred place of care for hospitalized patients at the end of life

Source: Palliative Medicine June 2011 v.25(4) p333-336

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Date: June 2011

Publication type: Article

Publication length: 4 pages

In a nutshell: The Department of Health end-of-life strategy contains a number of quality markers which include taking into account patients’ wishes for their final place of care. An audit was conducted on discussion of preferred place of care (PPC) for all patients referred to the hospital palliative care team who died during the audit period. The data highlighted the need to distinguish between preferred place of care and preferred place of death. Patients’ wishes regarding PPC change as death approaches. A greater number of patients wished to die in hospital than was expected.

Some important notes: Contact your local health library for a copy of this article. Follow this link to find your local health library.

Advance care planning ensures patient choice on place of death

Source: Nursing Times, October 2010, 106(40) p8

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Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: Comments about the role of advance care planning in ensuring that patients’ wishes regarding the place of their end-of-life care and death are respected. The success of Preferred Priorities for Care in NHS West Essex PCT is discussed.

Length of publication: 1 page

This article is available in full text to all NHS Staff using Athens, for more information about accessing full text follow this link to find your local NHS Library

The Government’s eight-point plan for improving end-of-life care

Source: British Journal of Nursing, 2010, 19(18) p1194-6

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Date of publication: October 2010

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: Following recommendations made in the Department of Health’s 2nd annual report of the ‘End of life care strategy’ (2010). This article evaluates of the use of personal health budgets, changing public opinion towards death, delivery of care in the last days of life, care in different settings and other measures to improve care for people who are dying.

Length of publication: 3 pages

This article is available in full text to all NHS Staff using Athens, for more information about accessing full text follow this link to find your local NHS Library

Hospital nurses should be ‘systematic’ about end-of-life care

Title: Hospital nurses should be ‘systematic’ about end-of-life care

Source: www.nursingtimes.net

Date of Publication: June 2010

Publication type: Web article

In a nutshell: This article reports on the DH suggestion that hospital nurses needs to adopt a systematic approach  in helping patients choose where they die. John Ellershaw DH national deputy director for End of Life Care told Nursing Times that nurses should be taking a more active role in advanced care planning and rapid discharge from hospital. Comments were made in light of the recent DH guidance on End of Life Care. The guidance highlights a nurse led tool being piloted at London’s Guy’s and St Thomas’s Foundation Trust. The AMBER care bundle has enabled 78 per cent of patients to die in their place of choice since the pilot began in January.

Some important notes: Follow this link to read the press release about the AMBER care bundle

Ensuring patient choices about dignity and place of death are respected at the end of life

Title: Ensuring patient choices about dignity and place of death are respected at the end of life

Source: Nursingtimes.net

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Date of publication: June 2010

Publication type: Web article

In a nutshell: This article examines how services must adapt in order that patients’ palliative care preferences are respected. Patient choice and dignity are priorities in providing high quality end of life care.  The article further examines some of the dilemmas nurses may face in respecting patients’ preferences about place of care and death, and looks at how services may need to change in the future to meet the needs of the increasing ageing population.

Palliative care: do all patients now have a choice about where they die?

Title: Palliative care: do all patients now have a choice about where they die?

Source: Nursing Times 2010, Vol. 106 No. 7 p.21-23

Date of Publication: February 2010

Publication Type: Article

In a nutshell: An integral part of palliative care is everyone’s right to choose where they die. However, across the country, patient choice is found to be variable and this fundamental right is being denied.

Length of Publication: 3 pages

Some important notes: This article is available in print format only – contact your local health library for a copy of this article. Follow this link to locate your local health library