The business of palliative medicine - part 5: service utilization in a comprehensive integrated program |
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Authors: | Estfan Bassam Davis Mellar P Walsh Declan Heintz Jessica Shaheen Philip E Cheema Bushra LeGrand Susan B Lagman Ruth L |
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Institution: | Harry R Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine, The Taussig Cancer Center, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. |
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Abstract: | The aim of palliative medicine is to provide multidisciplinary comprehensive care in advanced illness. Patient and family utilization of various product service lines offered by the Harry R Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation was studied. Newly referred patients were followed up prospectively until 85% had either died or been lost to follow-up. Demographic, clinical, and referral data were recorded; subsequent product service line utilization was updated daily. The total study period was 171 days, and 238 patients entered. Acute care inpatient unit, outpatient clinic visits, and 24-hour phone contacts were the most frequently used product service lines. Patients had a median of 3 contacts (range, 1 to 27) with individual service lines. Multiple palliative medicine product service lines were utilized often, with repeated use of the individual service lines. A comprehensive integrated palliative medicine program is necessary to fully meet the complex needs of those with advanced disease. |
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