Current use of guidelines, protocols, and care pathways for symptom management in hospice.

Full Abstract

Evidence-based guidelines or care pathways for symptom management could provide a means to reduce symptom distress in dying patients. We surveyed directors of nursing from hospices affiliated with the Population-based Palliative Care Research Network (PoPCRN) regarding their hospices' current use of and attitudes toward written symptom management materials. A majority (53/78, 68 percent) of participating hospices reported use of written materials, such as guidelines, protocols, or care pathways, for one or more symptoms. Materials were based on multiple sources and varied from simple medication orders to more comprehensive, multicategory symptom management resources. Regardless of the composition, these materials were perceived as helpful. Given this favorable view, variations in the use and content of written materials may signify an opportunity to decrease symptom distress in hospice through the implementation of evidence-based symptom management resources.

Author information

Author/s: Johnson, Daniel C (DC); Kassner, Cordt T (CT); Kutner, Jean S (JS);

Affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The American journal of hospice & palliative care (Am J Hosp Palliat Care), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2004 Jan-Feb; vol 21 (issue 1) : pp 51-7

Dates: Created 2004/01/29; Completed 2004/04/19; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 14748524, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00)

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