Curr Oncol
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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. ⋯ 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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Systematic symptom reporting by patients and the use of questionnaires such as the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) have potential to improve clinical encounters and patient satisfaction. We review findings from published studies of the ESAS to guide use of the system and to focus research. ⋯ The ESAS is reliable, but it has restricted validity, and its use requires a sound clinical process to help interpret scores and to give them an appropriate level of attention. Research priorities are to further develop the ESAS for assessing a greater number of important physical symptoms (and to target "physical symptom distress"), and to develop a similar instrument for emotional symptoms.