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Relationship between palliative care consultation service and end-of-life outcomes

Supportive Care in Cancer volume 24, pages 53–60 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Palliative care consultation service (PCCS) is currently utilized to provide care to terminal patients in Taiwan. However, there is little research on the relationship between PCCS and end-of-life outcomes. This study aimed to elucidate the association between PCCS and end-of-life outcomes in terminal cancer patients.

Methods

Retrospective chart reviews of terminal cancer patients who consulted the PCCS of a medical center in Taiwan from January 2007 to December 2012 were performed. Data on 1369 patients were recorded, which included details of outcomes such as discharge from hospital, transfer to hospice ward, and death after PCCS termination. Other variables such as demographics, disease-related information, symptoms, and psychosocial needs were also evaluated. Logistic regression models were employed to estimate the adjusted odds ratios and related 95 % confidence intervals.

Results

The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, timing of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) signature, constipation, and spiritual problems experienced by the patients were important predictors for terminal cancer patients who were discharged from the hospital or had expired at the time of PCCS termination. Age, gender, primary cancer diagnosis, timing of DNR signature, constipation, and other physical symptoms were the key predictors for patients who were transferred to the hospice ward or had expired.

Conclusions

This study confirms the outcomes of PCCS and highlights the important predictors for patients at PCCS termination. These factors can be targeted to improve and enhance the quality of PCCS rendered in the future.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the grants from the Tri-Service General Hospital, Taiwan (TSGH-C103-152).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that this study has no conflict of interest and financial support.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Nursing, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan

    Li-Fen Wu & Hsueh-Hsing Pan

  2. School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City, Taiwan

    Chi-Ming Chu

  3. Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City, Taiwan

    Yu-Guang Chen & Ching-Liang Ho

  4. School of Nursing, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City, Taiwan

    Hsueh-Hsing Pan

Authors
  1. Li-Fen Wu
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  2. Chi-Ming Chu
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  3. Yu-Guang Chen
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  4. Ching-Liang Ho
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  5. Hsueh-Hsing Pan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hsueh-Hsing Pan.

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Wu, LF., Chu, CM., Chen, YG. et al. Relationship between palliative care consultation service and end-of-life outcomes. Support Care Cancer 24, 53–60 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2741-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2741-6

Keywords

  • Terminal cancer patients
  • Palliative care consultation service
  • End of life
  • Outcomes