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- Title
PALLIATIVE CARE FROM THE INSIDE OUT: DRAWING UPON EXISTING RESOURCES TO DELIVER EFFECTIVE SERVICES. A PILOT PROJECT OF A PALLIATIVE AND SUPPORTIVE CARE SERVICE (PSCS) ON THE ONCOLOGY UNITS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA MEDICAL CENTER (UMC).
- Authors
LeBaron, Virginia; Bohnenkamp, Susan; Lopez, Ana Maria
- Abstract
Palliative medicine is now recognized as an essential component of comprehensive cancer care, and the literature demonstrates that patients and oncology nurses benefit from access to effective palliative care teams. UMC is a leading referral site for oncology services in the State of Arizona, but prior to initiation of this project had no organized palliative care services. The vision of the hospital palliative care committee served as a foundation to begin a pilot palliative care service and education project to enhance quality of life for patients and caregivers while improving patient, caregiver, and staff satisfaction. • To implement a palliative care pilot project with the inpatient medical oncology team. • To deliver a palliative care nursing curriculum that will establish a corps of "Palliative Care Resource Nurses" within UMC, the Arizona Cancer Center, and in the state. • Created an interdisciplinary PSCS team from preexisting clinicians within UMC. • Conduct bi-weekly PSCS meetings to discuss patient needs and round daily with the oncology team. • Develop and implement formalized PSCS assessment and outcome measurement tools. • Refine referral criteria and methods to market the PSCS. • Self-selected RNs participate in monthly End of Life Nursing Consortium (ELNEC) educational programs, which will be broadcast using telemedicine technology to nurses throughout Arizona. • Ongoing palliative care education is planned. • Primary endpoint is to assess feasibility and acceptability of the PSCS. • Referred patients/families and referring staff will assess their experience and comment on perceived benefits and areas for improvement. • Staff participating in palliative care education will evaluate each session and pre and post testing will occur. The implementation of a pilot PSCS, along with the concurrent training of a cadre of Palliative Care Resource Nurses, will enhance the delivery of palliative care and improve the oncology nurse's ability to identify and manage the complex, holistic needs of seriously ill patients. It is hoped that results from this pilot work will serve as a foundation for expanding palliative care within UMC, and may also serve as a guide for other hospitals with limited resources who desire to develop palliative care services.
- Subjects
ARIZONA; PALLIATIVE treatment; ONCOLOGY; ONCOLOGY nursing; NURSING education; NURSES
- Publication
Oncology Nursing Forum, 2007, Vol 34, Issue 2, p490
- ISSN
0190-535X
- Publication type
Article