Screening tool streamlines palliative care requests

Integrating a simple screening tool into the admissions process for critically ill patients can streamline palliative care consultations, a study found. Published in the April issue of Critical Care Nurse, the study sought to improve the process of requesting palliative care consultations at Bon Secours Mercy Health Anderson in Cincinnati. Patients received points based on their co-morbidities, contributing factors and previous intensive care unit admission within three months or hospital admissions within 30 days. Those with four points or more triggered an automatic palliative care referral. The researchers applied the screening tool retroactively for patients admitted to the ICU between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2019. Of the 267 patients admitted, 31 received referrals for palliative care; the tool would have referred 59 patients. (Newswise news release, 3/26/24)