Implementation of an Innovative Palliative Care Screening Tool in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Study

Background: Pediatric palliative care (PPC) can improve the quality of care provided to critically ill children with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Early identification of patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) who may benefit from PPC involvement is essential.

Objectives: To create a brief screening tool, the Pediatric Intensive Care-Pediatric Palliative Care Screen, identifying PICU patients most likely to benefit from PPC involvement and to assess if weekly screening with this screening tool increases the number of PPC consults placed in the PICU.

Methods: This is a prospective investigational single-center study in a 24-bed PICU at a U.S. tertiary care children's hospital. Weekly screening was completed by two clinicians for a six-month period between April and October 2022.

Results: A total of 162 screens were completed on 124 individual patients; 47 screens were positive (29%), and 115 were negative (71%). Fourteen new PPC consults were placed from the PICU with one PPC consult for every 36.7 compared with one PPC for every 41.4 admissions the previous year. Of the positive screens, 68% had two or more comorbidities at the time of PICU admission versus 26% of negative screens (p < 0.001). Technology dependence (57% vs. 5%, p < 0.001) and presence of congenital defects (26% vs. 10%, p = 0.013) were significantly more common among positive screens.

Conclusions: Weekly screening with a short, 7-question screening tool can identify PICU patients most likely to benefit from a PPC consult. Patients with chronic illnesses and baseline comorbidities are most likely to screen positive.

Final publication is available from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers https://dx.doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2023.0292

Files

Metadata

Work Title Implementation of an Innovative Palliative Care Screening Tool in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Study
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Caitlyn H. Hodge
  2. Elizabeth W.J. Kerris
  3. Michelle C. Freeman
  4. Susannah T. Eckman
  5. Deana M. Deeter
  6. Katelyn M. Even
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Journal of Palliative Medicine
Publication Date February 28, 2024
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2023.0292
Deposited April 15, 2024

Versions

Analytics

Collections

This resource is currently not in any collection.

Work History

Version 1
published

  • Created

    April 15, 2024 11:26 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added PIPPS_manuscript_7.5_resubmission.docx

    April 15, 2024 11:26 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Caitlyn H. Hodge

    April 15, 2024 11:26 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Elizabeth W.J. Kerris

    April 15, 2024 11:26 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Michelle C. Freeman

    April 15, 2024 11:26 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Susannah T. Eckman

    April 15, 2024 11:26 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Deana M. Deeter

    April 15, 2024 11:26 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Katelyn M. Even

    April 15, 2024 11:26 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Published

    April 15, 2024 11:26 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Updated

    April 15, 2024 22:03 by [unknown user]

  • Updated Description, Publication Date Show Changes

    April 19, 2024 11:14 by avs5190

    Description
    • <p>Background: Pediatric palliative care (PPC) can improve the quality of care provided to critically ill children with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Early identification of patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) who may benefit from PPC involvement is essential. Objectives: To create a brief screening tool, the Pediatric Intensive Care-Pediatric Palliative Care Screen, identifying PICU patients most likely to benefit from PPC involvement and to assess if weekly screening with this screening tool increases the number of PPC consults placed in the PICU. Methods: This is a prospective investigational single-center study in a 24-bed PICU at a U.S. tertiary care children's hospital. Weekly screening was completed by two clinicians for a six-month period between April and October 2022. Results: A total of 162 screens were completed on 124 individual patients; 47 screens were positive (29%), and 115 were negative (71%). Fourteen new PPC consults were placed from the PICU with one PPC consult for every 36.7 compared with one PPC for every 41.4 admissions the previous year. Of the positive screens, 68% had two or more comorbidities at the time of PICU admission versus 26% of negative screens (p &lt; 0.001). Technology dependence (57% vs. 5%, p &lt; 0.001) and presence of congenital defects (26% vs. 10%, p = 0.013) were significantly more common among positive screens. Conclusions: Weekly screening with a short, 7-question screening tool can identify PICU patients most likely to benefit from a PPC consult. Patients with chronic illnesses and baseline comorbidities are most likely to screen positive.</p>
    • <p>Background: Pediatric palliative care (PPC) can improve the quality of care provided to critically ill children with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Early identification of patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) who may benefit from PPC involvement is essential.
    • Objectives: To create a brief screening tool, the Pediatric Intensive Care-Pediatric Palliative Care Screen, identifying PICU patients most likely to benefit from PPC involvement and to assess if weekly screening with this screening tool increases the number of PPC consults placed in the PICU.
    • Methods: This is a prospective investigational single-center study in a 24-bed PICU at a U.S. tertiary care children's hospital. Weekly screening was completed by two clinicians for a six-month period between April and October 2022.
    • Results: A total of 162 screens were completed on 124 individual patients; 47 screens were positive (29%), and 115 were negative (71%). Fourteen new PPC consults were placed from the PICU with one PPC consult for every 36.7 compared with one PPC for every 41.4 admissions the previous year. Of the positive screens, 68% had two or more comorbidities at the time of PICU admission versus 26% of negative screens (p &lt; 0.001). Technology dependence (57% vs. 5%, p &lt; 0.001) and presence of congenital defects (26% vs. 10%, p = 0.013) were significantly more common among positive screens.
    • Conclusions: Weekly screening with a short, 7-question screening tool can identify PICU patients most likely to benefit from a PPC consult. Patients with chronic illnesses and baseline comorbidities are most likely to screen positive.</p>
    Publication Date
    • 2023-01-01
    • 2024-02-28