American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

The Use of Emergency Medication Kits in Community Palliative Care: An Exploratory Survey of Views of Current Practice in Australian Home-Based Palliative Care Services
Improving symptom management for palliative care patients has obvious benefits for patients and advantages for the clinicians, as workload demands and work-related stress can be reduced when the emergent symptoms of patients are managed in a timely manner. The use of emergency medication kits (EMKs) can provide such timely symptom relief. The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey of a local service to examine views on medication management before and after the implementation of an EMK and to conduct a nationwide prevalence survey examining the use of EMKs in Australia. Most respondents from community palliative car...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - August 6, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Bullen, T., Rosenberg, J. P., Smith, B., Maher, K. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Force Perception, Effort, Strength, and Dynamic Muscle Function in Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Pilot Study
There are several kinesthetic parameters that can be used to measure fatigue including strength, endurance, sense of effort, perception of force exerted, and tapping speed. We developed a protocol and tested the feasibility of correlating subjective fatigue with kinesthetic parameters in a small group of patients with cancer having fatigue and in controls. Accrual was limiting. We discuss the limitations and potential modifications in the procedure, which may allow improved accrual and the rationale behind performing such a study. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - August 6, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Platt, A., Gross, J., Davis, M. P. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Palliative Oncology: Denosumab
This article reviews the mechanism of action, pharmacology, adverse effects, and clinical trial evidence for this new drug. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - July 9, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Prommer, E. Tags: Pharmacology Update Source Type: research

Time to Death and Reenrollment After Live Discharge From Hospice: A Retrospective Look
Conclusion: Our research supports past findings that over a third of patients disenrolled from hospice die within 6 months, indicating ongoing hospice eligibility up to the time of death. Interestingly, if enrollment was revoked by patient or family, as often was done to allow the patient to pursue more aggressive treatments, the mortality risk was higher in the 6 months after discharge. This should prompt careful reevaluation of disenrolled hospice patients in the months after disenrollment, and hospice reenrollment should be continually available and offered during this time. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - July 9, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: LeSage, K., Borgert, A. J., Rhee, L. S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Pain Management for Persons Living With HIV Disease: Experience With Interprofessional Education in Nigeria
Conclusion: Implementing PM in Nigerian HIV clinics requires recognition of cultural beliefs. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - July 9, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Alexander, C. S., Pappas, G., Henley, Y., Kangalawe, A. K., Oyebola, F. O., Obiefune, M., Nwene, E., Stanis-Ezeobi, W., Enejoh, V., Nwizu, C., Nwandu, A. N., Memiah, P., Etienne-Mesubi, M., Oni, B., Amoroso, A., Redfield, R. R. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Changes in the Attitude and Practice Toward End-of-Life Care: Perspective of Chinese Physicians in Medical Department
Conclusion: Documentation by DNAR form is gaining wider acceptance. Many doctors are expected to have more training and coaching on communication for handling such sensitive issues. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - July 9, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Lam, K. W., Yeung, K. W. A., Lai, K. Y., Cheng, F. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

The Relation Between the Timing of Palliative Care and the Frequency and Timing of Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders Among Cancer Deaths in a Tertiary Care Hospital
In conclusion, in a tertiary care hospital, earlier PC was associated with earlier DNR designation and less frequent ICU deaths among in-hospital cancer deaths. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - July 9, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Alsirafy, S. A., Mohammed, A. A., Al-Zahrani, A. S., Raheem, A. A., El-Kashif, A. T. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Wishes of Patients With Terminal Cancer and Influencing Factors Toward the Use of Antibiotics in Taiwan
Conclusion: This study indicated the responsibility of medical professionals to convey burdens of using antibiotics to patients and family. Otherwise, by enhancing professional training and performing effective communication with patients, we can reach a more appropriate decision in the use of antibiotics. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - July 9, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Yao, C.-A., Hsieh, M.-Y., Chiu, T.-Y., Hu, W.-Y., Hung, S.-H., Chen, C.-Y., Lee, L.-T. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Assessing Challenges in End-of-Life Conversations With Patients Utilizing a Public Safety-Net Health Care System
This study examined barriers to EOL care discussions as experienced by health care providers working in a public safety-net health care system where the majority of their patients were low-income and immigrant Latinos seeking medical treatment. Qualitative data were collected in South Central Los Angeles through semistructured interviews with 46 health care providers from different disciplines in medicine, nursing, social work, and chaplaincy. The themes indicated communication barriers in the public sector health care setting and sociocultural patient- and family-level factors. All providers made valuable contributions to...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - July 9, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Nedjat-Haiem, F. R., Carrion, I. V. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Motivations, Death Anxiety, and Empathy in Hospice Volunteers in France
This study examined the motivations for volunteering of hospice volunteers in France. In addition, their levels of death anxiety and empathy were measured and compared with those of French non-hospice volunteers and non-volunteers. Three questionnaires—the Inventory of Motivations for Hospice Palliative Care Volunteerism (IMHPCV),1 the Templer/McMordie Death Anxiety Scale2, and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index3—were sent via an Internet link to 2 hospice volunteer associations and to non-hospice volunteers and non-volunteers (only the hospice volunteers received the IMHPCV). Altruistic motives had the most in...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - July 9, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Garbay, M., Gay, M.-C., Claxton-Oldfield, S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Comparison of Early Versus Late Palliative Care Consultation in End-of-Life Care for the Hospitalized Frail Elderly Patients
To examine the effects of early palliative care (PC; EPC; ≤3 days after admission) consultation versus late PC (>3 days) on number of days from day of consult to discharge (DCDAYS), a retrospective review of PC data (2009-2012) included 531 patients with age ≥65 and Palliative Performance Scale ≤50. Early PC was independently associated with lower DCDAYS (P = .019). Persons admitted to hospice (P = .010) as well as those discharged to home (P = .003) and subacute rehabilitation (SAR; P = .015) were more likely to have an EPC compared to those who died. Admitting to hospice was associated with lower DCDAYS than ...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - July 9, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Reyes-Ortiz, C. A., Williams, C., Westphal, C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

The Relationship Between Organizational Characteristics and Advance Care Planning Practices
Organizational characteristics may impede the uniform adoption of advance care planning (ACP) best practices. We conducted telephone interviews with site directors of a Midwestern state’s Medicaid waiver program administered by the Area Agencies on Aging and surveyed the 433 care managers (registered nurses and social workers) employed within these 9 agencies. Care managers at 2 agencies reported more frequent ACP discussions and higher levels of confidence. Both sites had ACP training programs, follow-up protocols, and informational packets available for consumers that were not consistently available at the other ag...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - July 9, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Baughman, K. R., Ludwick, R., Palmisano, B., Hazelett, S., Sanders, M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Multiple Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Attempts in a Community Hospital: Evaluation of the Futility Assessment
Conclusion: Adjusting medical care based on futility assessment in patients with chronic illness who survive CRA is often neglected, but crucially relevant step in the optimization of health care system management. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - July 9, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Barjaktarevic, I., Bobe, L., Klapholz, A., Dinan, W. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

The Experiences of Well-Being of Palliative Care Patients in Malaysia: A Thematic Analysis
A qualitative study was conducted with semistructured interviews to explore the experiences of well-being in 15 adult palliative care inpatients of University Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The results were thematically analyzed. Six basic themes were generated (1) positive attitude, (2) positive cognitions, (3) positive emotions, (4) positive engagement, (5) positive relationships, and (6) positive circumstances. The Seeds Model was conceptualized from the analysis. This model may inform the development of interventions in the enhancement of well-being of palliative care patients. (Source: American Journal...
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - July 9, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Beng, T. S., Chin, L. E., Guan, N. C., Ann, Y. H., Wu, C., Kuan, W. S., Jane, L. E., Khee, S. S., Meng, C. B. C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Supporting Family Caregivers With Palliative Symptom Management: A Qualitative Analysis of the Provision of an Emergency Medication Kit in the Home Setting
Conclusion: The provision of an EMK is an effective strategy for improving symptom control and preventing inpatient admissions of home-dwelling palliative care patients. (Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine - July 9, 2015 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Rosenberg, J. P., Bullen, T., Maher, K. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research