Palliative Care Consults in the Emergency Department

A randomized study shows minimal benefit from early initiation of palliative care consultation, but benefit was likely underestimated.

Palliative care and hospice have been shown to improve quality of life for terminally ill patients in several settings while decreasing healthcare utilization and even prolonging survival in some cases. Researchers evaluated whether palliative care consultation initiated in the emergency department (ED) has similar benefits for patients with advanced cancer. In a single-blind study at a large quaternary ED, 136 such patients who were being admitted or placed in observation were randomized to early palliative care consultation or usual care. Consultation occurred within 48 hours and included a comprehensive evaluation from a dedicated palliative care team.

At 12 weeks, patients in the intervention group had a slightly higher increase in quali…

Reviewing Author

Daniel M. Lindberg, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; MINDSOURCE

Editorial BoardsThe Quarterly Update: Reviews of Current Child Abuse Medical Research; Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesThe Helfer Society (Executive Committee Member)