Breakthrough and Episodic Cancer Pain from a Palliative Care Perspective.

Cancer pain intensity (PI) fluctuates, but the relationship between pain flares and background pain with respect to pain management is not settled. We studied how flare and background PIs corresponded with treatment results for background cancer pain. Patients admitted to an acute palliative care unit with average and/or worst PI ≥ 1 on the 11-point numeric rating scale were included. Average and worst PI at admission and average PI at discharge were collected. We examined how the difference and ratio between worst and average PI and average PI at admission, were associated with average PI development during hospitalization. Positive differences between worst and average PI at admission were defined as pain flares. Ninety out of 131 patients had pain flares. The reduction in average PI for patients with flares was 0.9 and for those without, 1.9 (p = 0.02). Patients with large worst minus average PI differences reported the least improvement, as did those with large worst/average PI ratios. Patients with pain flares and average PI ≤ 4 at admission had unchanged average PI during hospitalization, while those with pain flares and average PI > 4 experienced pain reduction (2.1, p < 0.001). Large pain flares, in absolute values and compared to background PI, were associated with inferior pain relief.

Outcomes of an Acute Palliative Care Unit at a Comprehensive Cancer Center in Korea.

Background: The acute palliative care unit (APCU) bridges between active cancer treatment and hospice care. However, no study has proven the efficacy of APCU in Korea. Objective: To evaluate the first-year outcomes of the patients admitted to an APCU at a tertiary hospital in Korea. Design: The APCU admitted 205 patients between April 14, 2014, and April 30, 2015. Of these patients, 57 were evaluable for baseline and one-week follow-up Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). Results: Of the 57 participants, 56.1% were male, with a median age of 60 years (range, 52.8-69.5 years). All patients had advanced cancer, and 42 out of 57 had terminal illnesses. The median APCU stay was 14 days (range, 10-17 days). The 42 (73.7%) patients were referred to the APCU after anticancer treatment was completed. Ten (17.5%) patients died during their stay, and 20 (35.1%) were discharged home. Among those who completed the ESAS, there were significant improvements in scores in the following symptoms: fatigue, depression, loss of appetite, and shortness of breath. Physical symptoms (pain, fatigue, nausea, drowsiness, appetite, and shortness of breath) and the total ESAS scores were significantly improved (p = 0.002 and p = 0.005, respectively). Each non-medical palliative care program, such as art and music therapy, yoga, foot massage, haircut, and body care, showed no significant differences between the group who received them and those who did not. Conclusion: During the APCU stay, the overall symptoms of inpatients were reduced. A comprehensive and multidisciplinary team approach is essential for patients who need palliative care.

Characteristics of Patients with Cancer Readmitted Within 30 Days to an Acute Palliative Care Unit.

OBJECTIVE(S): For patients with cancer, the emergence of acute palliative care units (APCU) may hold promise in curtailing hospital readmissions. The study aims to describe the characteristics of patients readmitted to an APCU. METHODS: This retrospective study examined patients with cancer readmitted within 30 days to an APCU. Readmissions were further classified as either potentially preventable or non-preventable. RESULTS: Out of 734 discharges from July 1, 2014 to July 1, 2015, 69 (9%) readmissions were identified and analyzed. For index admissions, median length of stay was five days, and one (1%) was discharged home with hospice care. For readmissions, median time from index admission to readmission was nine days, median length of stay was six days, three (4%) patients died, and 20 (30%) went home with hospice. Ten (14.5%) readmissions were deemed potentially preventable (95% CI 7.2-25.0%). Race/ethnicity-White/Black/Hispanic/Others-was 60%, 10%, 20% and 10%, respectively, among potentially preventable readmissions and 76%, 22%, 2% and 0%, respectively, among potentially non-preventable readmissions (P = .012). Potentially preventable readmissions were more likely to have venous thromboembolism (40% vs. 12%, P = .046) and more reasons for readmission (median 2 vs. 1, P = .019). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with cancer readmitted to an APCU, one out of seven was potentially preventable and a far larger proportion was discharged with hospice care compared to the index admission. Recognition of disease course, meaningful goals of care discussions and timely transition to hospice care may reduce rehospitalization in this population.

Interventions and symptom relief in hospital palliative cancer care: results from a prospective longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: To study the use of interventions and symptom relief for adult patients with incurable cancer admitted to an acute palliative care unit providing integrated oncology and palliative care services. METHODS: All admissions during 1 year were assessed. The use of interventions was evaluated for all hospitalizations. Patients with assessments for worst and average pain intensity, tiredness, drowsiness, nausea, appetite, dyspnea, depression, anxiety, well-being, constipation, and sleep were evaluated for symptom development during hospitalization. Descriptive statistics was applied for the use of interventions and the paired sample t-test to compare symptom intensities (SIs). RESULTS: For 451 admissions, mean hospital length of stay was 7.0 days and mean patient age 69 years. More than one-third received systemic cancer therapy. Diagnostic imaging was performed in 66% of the hospitalizations, intravenous rehydration in 45%, 37% received antibiotics, and 39% were attended by the multidisciplinary team. At admission and at discharge, respectively, 55% and 44% received oral opioids and 27% and 45% subcutaneous opioids. For the majority, opioid dose was adjusted during hospitalization. Symptom registrations were available for 180 patients. Tiredness yielded the highest mean SI score (5.6, NRS 0-10) at admission and nausea the lowest (2.2). Significant reductions during hospitalization were reported for all assessed SIs (p ≤ 0.01). Patients receiving systemic cancer therapy reported symptom relief similar to those not on systemic cancer therapy. CONCLUSION: Clinical practice and symptom relief during hospitalization were described. Symptom improvements were similar for oncological and palliative care patients.

Acute palliative care unit-initiated interventions for advanced cancer patients at the end of life: prediction of impending death based on Glasgow Prognostic Score.

PURPOSE: Unexpected death occurred in an unexpectedly high proportion of advanced cancer patients in the acute palliative care unit (APCU) setting and associated with fewer signs of impending death. Recognition of patients at high risk of approaching death, especially immediately after admitting APCU among clinicians, can improve the end-of-life trajectory. Our objective was accurate prognostication within a few days of admission. METHODS: Patients admitted to an APCU of the NTT Medical Center Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, between April 2009 and December 2016 were retrospectively examined. The Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) was optimized with concomitant neutrophilia, lymphocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and monocytosis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were estimated, and independent predictors for 3-day mortality were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. The sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios (LRs) associated with imminent death were also assessed. RESULTS: Nine hundred ninety-one patients were included; 52.9% was male. The median age was 72 years. The median survival was 13 days (IQ range 6 to 26), and 11.7% died within 3 days of admission. Significant difference in survival with a GPS of 2 was observed in GPS optimized with concomitant thrombocytopenia, and it was the only significant predictor associated with 3-day mortality (p = 0.004), which had high specificity (> 95%) and high positive LR (> 5). CONCLUSION: The prognostic value of the GPS was enhanced by adding thrombocytopenia. The concurrent use of the GPS and platelet count improved the prognostication of limited time of survival and could assist in the personal and clinical decisions for advanced cancer patients.

Expression of existential suffering in two patients with advanced cancer in an acute palliative care unit.

BACKGROUND: Recognizing and managing existential suffering remains challenging. We present two cases demonstrating how existential suffering manifests in patients and how to manage it to alleviate suffering. CASE DESCRIPTION: Case 1: A 69-year-old man with renal cell carcinoma receiving end-of-life care expressed fear of lying down "as he may not wake up." He also expressed concerns of not being a good Christian. Supportive psychotherapy and chaplain support were provided, with anxiolytic medications as needed. He was able to express his fear of dying and concern about his family, and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System scores improved. He died peacefully with family at bedside. Case 2: A 71-year-old woman presented with follicular lymphoma and colonic obstruction requiring nasogastric drain of fecaloid matter. Initially, she felt that focusing on comfort rather than cure symbolized giving up but eventually felt at peace. Physical symptoms were well-controlled but emotionally she became more distressed, repeatedly asking angrily, "Why is it taking so long to die?." She was supported by her family through Bible readings and prayers, but she was distressed about being a burden to them. An interdisciplinary approach involving expressive supportive counseling, spiritual care, and integrative medicine resulted in limited distress relief. Owing to increasing agitation, the patient and family agreed to titrate chlorpromazine to sedation. Her family was appreciative that she was restful until her death. CONCLUSION: Existential suffering manifests through multiple domains in each patient. A combination of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic techniques may be needed to relieve end-of-life suffering.

Satisfaction with hospital care at the end of life. / Satisfacción con la atención hospitalaria al final de la vida.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the satisfaction of relatives of deceased patients with the care received in a palliative care unit (PCU) and compare it with cases in which a team with specific psychological care were not involved. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An anonymous survey (n=202) was administered to the relatives (response rate, 42.1%), which evaluated 9 issues related to the process of dying and the overall assessment of the care. RESULTS: The overall satisfaction was high (mean score of 9.22); the score for the full team was 9.40, while that of the team without the psychologist was 8.40 (P=.005). The items that scored highest were "team availability", "information received" and "assistance for facing the disease", followed by "pain control", "peaceful death", "assistance for patient-family communication", "grief support" and "quality of life". CONCLUSIONS: Based on the relatives' assessment, the hospital PCU teams help increase the quality of care at the end of life.

In-Hospital Palliative Care: Should We Need to Reconsider What Role Hospitals Should Have in Patients with End-Stage Disease or Advanced Cancer?

Traditionally, palliative care (PC) systems focused on the needs of advanced cancer patients, but most patients needing PC have end-stage organ diseases. Similarly, PC models focus on the needs of patients in hospices or at home; however, in most cases PC is provided in acute hospitals. Indeed, the symptom burden that these patients experience in the last year of life frequently forces them to seek care in emergency departments. The majority of them are admitted to the hospital and many die. This issue poses important concerns. Despite the efforts of attending healthcare professionals, in-hospital patients do not receive optimal care near the end-of-life. Also, evidence is emerging that delay in identifying patients needing PC have a detrimental impact on their quality of life (QoL). Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify, early and properly, these patients among those hospitalized. Several trials reported the efficacy of PC in improving the QoL in these patients. Each hospital should ensure that a multidisciplinary PC team is available to support attending physicians to achieve the best QoL for both PC patients and their families. This review discusses the role and the impact of in-hospital PC in patients with end-stage disease or advanced cancer.

Frequency and Outcome of Neuroleptic Rotation in the Management of Delirium in Patients with Advanced Cancer.

PURPOSE: The response to haloperidol as a first-line neuroleptic and the pattern of neuroleptic rotation after haloperidol failure have not been well defined in palliative care. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of haloperidol as a first-line neuroleptic and the predictors associated with the need to rotate to a second neuroleptic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the charts of advanced cancer patients admitted to our acute palliative care unit between January 2012 and March 2013. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of delirium and first-line treatment with haloperidol. RESULTS: Among 167 patients with delirium, 128 (77%) received only haloperidol and 39 (23%) received a second neuroleptic. Ninety-one patients (71%) who received haloperidol alone improved and were discharged alive. The median initial haloperidol dose was 5 mg (interquartile ranges [IQR], 3 to 7 mg) and the median duration was 5 days (IQR, 3 to 7 days). The median final haloperidol dose was 6 mg (IQR, 5 to 7 mg). A lack of treatment efficacy was the most common reason for neuroleptic rotation (87%). Significant factors associated with neuroleptic rotation were inpatient mortality (59% vs. 29%, p=0.001), and being Caucasian (87% vs. 62%, p=0.014). Chlorpromazine was administered to 37 patients (95%) who were not treated successfully by haloperidol. The median initial chlorpromazine dose was 150 mg (IQR, 100 to 150 mg) and the median duration was 3 days (IQR, 2 to 6 days). Thirteen patients (33%) showed reduced symptoms after the second neuroleptic. CONCLUSION: Neuroleptic rotation from haloperidol was only required in 23% of patients with delirium and was associated with inpatient mortality and white race.

Frequency and Outcome of Neuroleptic Rotation in the Management of Delirium in Patients with Advanced Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The response to haloperidol as a first-line neuroleptic and the pattern of neuroleptic rotation after haloperidol failure have not been well defined in palliative care. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of haloperidol as a first-line neuroleptic and the predictors associated with the need to rotate to a second neuroleptic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the charts of advanced cancer patients admitted to our acute palliative care unit between January 2012 and March 2013. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of delirium and first-line treatment with haloperidol. RESULTS: Among 167 patients with delirium, 128 (77%) received only haloperidol and 39 (23%) received a second neuroleptic. Ninety-one patients (71%) who received haloperidol alone improved and were discharged alive. The median initial haloperidol dose was 5 mg (interquartile ranges [IQR], 3 to 7 mg) and the median duration was 5 days (IQR, 3 to 7 days). The median final haloperidol dose was 6 mg (IQR, 5 to 7 mg). A lack of treatment efficacy was the most common reason for neuroleptic rotation (87%). Significant factors associated with neuroleptic rotation were inpatient mortality (59% vs. 29%, p=0.001), and being Caucasian (87% vs. 62%, p=0.014). Chlorpromazine was administered to 37 patients (95%) who were not treated successfully by haloperidol. The median initial chlorpromazine dose was 150 mg (IQR, 100 to 150 mg) and the median duration was 3 days (IQR, 2 to 6 days). Thirteen patients (33%) showed reduced symptoms after the second neuroleptic. CONCLUSION: Neuroleptic rotation from haloperidol was only required in 23% of patients with delirium and was associated with inpatient mortality and white race.

Outcomes of the acute palliative care unit in an academic medical center.

BACKGROUND: The acute palliative care units (APCU) where the palliative medicine specialists are primarily in charge with medical management are being established in few academic medical centers. The purpose of this study is to review the demographics and outcomes of the APCU admissions and the economical implications to the Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York. METHODS: We retrospectively examined the demographics, diagnosis related groups (DRGs), length of hospital stay (LOS), discharge status and hospital charge data using data from intcernal cost accounting databases for consecutive admissions to the palliative care unit between February 2007 and February 2010. RESULTS: A total of 1837 patients were admitted. Six hundred eighty patients transferred from other medical-surgical units. Twenty two percent of the patients were admitted under other specialties but co-managed with the palliative medicine specialists. The top three DRGs were sepsis without or with mechanical ventilation and heart failure with major co-morbidities. The average length of stay was comparable to other medical surgical units. Seventy-two percent of the patients were discharged alive, 27% died in the hospital. The median charges were lower in the palliative care unit than in medical-surgical units (p<.0001). These benefits were more likely to occur if patients were managed directly by the specialists. CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that the APCU may provide cost effective, acute care for the patients with advanced chronic illness as well as the imminently dying in need of intensive symptom management.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to the acute palliative care unit from the emergency center.

CONTEXT: Most patients admitted to acute palliative care units (APCUs) are transferred from inpatient oncology units. We hypothesized that patients admitted to APCUs from emergency centers (ECs) have symptom burdens and outcomes that differ from those of transferred inpatients. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to compare the symptom burdens and survival rate of patients admitted to an APCU from an EC with those of inpatients transferred to the APCU. METHODS: Among the 2568 patients admitted to our APCU between September 1, 2003 and August 31, 2008, 312 (12%) were EC patients. We randomly selected 300 inpatients transferred to the APCU as controls (The outcome data were unavailable for two patients). We retrieved data on patient demographics, cancer diagnosis, Edmonton Symptom Assessment System scores, discharge outcomes, and overall survival from time of admission to the APCU. RESULTS: The EC patients had higher rates of pain, fatigue, nausea, and insomnia and were less likely to be delirious. They were more than twice as likely to be discharged alive than transferred inpatients. Kaplan-Meier plot tests for product-limit survival estimate from admission to APCU for EC patients and inpatients were statistically significant (median survival 34 vs. 31 days, P<0.0001). In multivariate analysis, EC admission (odds ratio [OR]=1.8593, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1532-2.9961), dyspnea (OR=0.8533, 95% CI 0.7892-0.9211), well-being (OR=1.1192, 95% CI 1.0234-1.2257), and delirium (OR=0.3942, 95% CI 0.2443-0.6351) were independently associated with being discharged alive. CONCLUSION: The EC patients have a higher acute symptom burden and are more likely to be discharged alive than transferred inpatients. The APCU was successful at managing symptoms and facilitating the discharge of both inpatients and EC patients to the community although the patients had severe symptoms on admission.

Seek to “acute palliative care unit with a hospice function”─Activity report of three years palliative care unit opened

<b>【Background】</b>From the time of establishment, management system of palliative care unit of cancer cooperation hospital in this community was created by consultation with regional home care agency. At the time of the current three－year establishment, its role is regarded as “acute palliative care unit with a hospice function”. In addition to the hospice function to perform hospice care for terminal cancer patients, with the aim of palliative care from early stage, it is an emphasis on functionality of acute palliative care unit (1.Symptom relief, 2.Decision support to patients and their families, 3.Adjustment and movement of the location of the medical treatment, 4.Adjustment of the support system at home care is difficult.) as a “second home” in the region for the “community hospice”. <b>【Result】</b>As a result, over three years, hospitalized patient number, home transition number of patients, home transition rate, number of patients dying at home and home mortality were increased, but the average length of stay, readmission rates were reduced. <b>【Conclusion】</b>In OPTIM－study, it is said that the ability to medical and welfare professionals involved in palliative care in the region is "meet" the opportunity, to be able to maximize the ability of the community, our palliative care unit establishment has become the opportunities in this community, cooperation with home care agencies deepened.

A retrospective study of the factors tended to transfer to palliative home care from palliative care unit at a comprehensive cancer center in Japan

<b>Background</b>: The palliative care unit (PCU) at the National Cancer Center Hospital East changed the administrative policy to strengthen the transition to palliative home care. This study aimed to identify the factors tended to transfer to palliative home care in Japan. <b>Methods</b>: We reviewed the medical records of consecutive cancer patients admitted to our PCU during period from October 2010 until September 2011. Patients with performance status 4 and duplication were excluded in this study. We identified variables associated with the discharged group and the others group, using the univariate and multivariate analyses. <b>Results</b>: There were 223 patients (Pts) during periods, 63 Pts (28.3%) discharged to palliative home care and 160 Pts (71.7%) deceased in our PCU. Univariate and multivariate analysis identified: admission from their own home, a good PS of ≤ 2, good oxygen saturation, a good amount of oral intake, maintain of PS at day 15, no dyspnea and no abdominal distention as predictions of a transition to home from our PCU. <b>Conclusion</b>: Our study indicated the factors tended to transfer to palliative home care from PCU in Japan, however this study had some limitations. A prospective study is required to validate these factors.