The American journal of hospice & palliative care
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Jun 2010
Comparative StudyAPACHE IV versus PPI for predicting community hospital ICU mortality.
Both the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) IV and Palliative Performance Index (PPI) are scales used to estimate intensive care unit (ICU) prognosis and mortality. ⋯ This prospective cohort study in the ICU of a community hospital demonstrated that both the APACHE IV and PPI were significant tools for predicting ICU mortality. When contrasting the 2 scales, the APACHE IV could more accurately rule in mortality when mortality occurred and rule out mortality when survival occurred.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Jun 2010
Antimicrobial use among patients receiving palliative care consultation.
We sought to characterize antimicrobial use among patients receiving palliative care consultation. ⋯ Our results suggest significant use of empiric, broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy among hospitalized patients near the end of life. We advocate for careful assessment of potential benefits and treatment burdens of antimicrobial therapy, especially when palliation is the goal.
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Individuals with cancer have multiple symptoms, which frequently co-occur. A nonrandom distribution of symptoms suggests a common mechanism. Symptom clusters (SCs) were considered part of various syndromes in the early years of medicine. ⋯ Symptom clusters may help in cancer diagnosis, symptom management, and prognostication. However, the cluster method, reliability, and validity need to be established before assessment or treatment guidelines are established. Symptom clusters require further research before becoming part of routine medical symptom assessment and management.