Journal of palliative medicine
-
The objective of this update, presented at the 2018 Annual Assembly of the American Association of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA), is to identify, summarize, and critique a sampling of recent research that has the potential for marked impact on hospice and palliative clinical practice. ⋯ We summarize the seven articles with the highest ratings.
-
Little is known about palliative care consultation (PCC) for patients with cardiogenic shock requiring short-term mechanical circulatory support (STMCS). ⋯ PCC was utilized in almost half of patients with cardiogenic shock requiring STMCS. PCC tends to occur toward the end of life regardless of the duration of STMCS. The optimal PCC timing remained unclear.
-
Our recent research suggests that a fluctuating trajectory, previously thought to be the experience of those dying with heart failure or chronic lung disease, may not accurately characterize the end of life for these patients. ⋯ Fluctuations in mobility and self-reported health do not differ by clinical condition in the three years before death, but people dying with chronic heart failure or chronic lung disease are more frequently hospitalized during this period and experience more unstable mobility for a longer period of observation.
-
Health professionals' bereavement practices, including funeral attendance, have attracted relatively little attention from researchers. There may be a number of motivations and perceived benefits for health professionals to attend patient funerals. There are no published data comparing different groups of health professionals' perceptions of and practices in attending the funerals of their patients. ⋯ Our findings emphasize the need for more open discussions and reflection among individuals and groups of health practitioners regarding attendance at funerals. Understanding the motivations of physicians, nurses, social workers, and other allied health practitioners to attend or not attend patient funerals is an important first step in working toward policies, protocols, and guidelines to support best practice.
-
Advanced heart failure (HF) is a common condition that leads to significant suffering for patients and their families. Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) can improve both the quantity and quality of life for those suffering with advanced HF. Palliative care clinicians are being asked with increasing frequency to assist HF teams to manage patients with LVADs in the preimplantation, post-operative, and end-of-life settings, although not all palliative care providers feel comfortable with this technology. Written by specialists in HF, geriatric cardiology, and palliative care, this article seeks to improve palliative care providers' knowledge of LVADs and will prepare palliative care teams to counsel and support LVAD patients and their families from pre-implantation to the end of life.