Palliative care transitions from acute care to community-based care - a systematic review. Journal of pain and symptom management Saunders, S. n., Killackey, T. n., Kurahashi, A. n., Walsh, C. n., Wentlandt, K. n., Lovrics, E. n., Scott, M. n., Mahtani, R. n., Bernstein, M. n., Howard, M. n., Tanuseputro, P. n., Goldman, R. n., Zimmermann, C. n., Aslakson, R. A., Isenberg, S. R. 2019

Abstract

Although the literature on transitions from hospital to the community is extensive, little is known about this experience within the context of palliative care (PC).We conducted a systematic review to investigate the impact of receiving palliative care in hospital on the transition from hospital to the community.We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, ProQuest and CINAHL from 1995 until April 10, 2018, and extracted relevant references. Eligible articles were published in English, included adult patients receiving PC as inpatients and explored transitions from hospital to the community.1514 studies were identified and 8 met inclusion criteria. Studies were published recently (>2012; n=7, 88%). Specialist PC interventions were delivered by multi-disciplinary care teams as part of inpatient PC triggers, discharge planning programs, and transitional care programs. Common outcomes reported with significant findings consisted of length of stay (n=5), discharge support (n=5), and hospital readmissions (n=6) for those who received inpatient PC. Most studies were at high risk of bias.Heterogeneity of study designs, outcomes, findings, and poor methodological quality render it challenging to draw conclusions regarding PC's impact on the transition from hospital to home. Further research should use standardized outcomes with randomized controlled trial and/or propensity matched cohort designs.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.06.005

View details for PubMedID 31201875