ICU & PC Partnership: Three Models in a Large Health System
Objectives
Describe three unique approaches to integrate palliative care (PC) into the intensive care unit (ICU) and associated successes and challenges.
Background
Common barriers to ICU patients receiving high-quality PC include: PC variably consulted; requests for PC late in patients’ ICU stays; inadequate PC staffing to fully support the ICU, and ICU attendings informally and irregularly holding family conferences, not always with designated decision makers. These scenarios lead to increased ICU staff distress. These case studies reflect three distinct models used within one health system to address these challenges.
Author
Danica P. Boyle
Senior Program Manager
Providence St. Joseph Health
1801 Lind Ave SW
Renton, WA 98057
(425) 525-3641