Background: Canadian data describing inpatient palliative care unit (
PCU) utilization are scarce. In the present study, we performed a quality assessment of a 24-bed short-term
PCU with a 3-months-or-less life expectancy policy in a tertiary care setting.
Methods: Using a retrospective
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Background: Canadian data describing inpatient palliative care unit (
PCU) utilization are scarce. In the present study, we performed a quality assessment of a 24-bed short-term
PCU with a 3-months-or-less life expectancy policy in a tertiary care setting.
Methods: Using a retrospective chart review, we explored wait time (
WT) for admission (May 2005 to April 2006), length of stay [
LOS (February 2005 to January 2006)], and patient demographics.
Results: The
WT data showed 508 referrals, with 242 resulting in admissions (92% malignant diagnoses) and 266 not (82% malignant). The most common malignancies in both groups were gastrointestinal, lung, and genitourinary. Median
WT for admitted patients was 6 days, varying with referral source, such as the same hospital, home, or another hospital (6, 4, and 8.5 days respectively). Most admissions (93%) occurred in 21 or fewer days. Patient death (52%), admission to another
PCU (25%), and declined offer (10%) were common reasons for no admission. Median
LOS for 219 admitted patients was 19 days (range: 0–249 days). Most patients (94%) died in the
PCU; a minority were discharged.
Conclusions: Many patients requiring
PCU services are admitted within a few days of referral, especially patients with the least available support: those at home. However, half of the non-admitted patients die while waiting—a potential area for improvement. The
LOS for admitted patients complied with the 3-month “expected lifespan”
PCU policy. Results are significant, because ensuring quality of life for palliative care patients includes timely
PCU access and sufficient
LOS to address end-of-life needs.
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