Emergency Medicine Palliative Care Access
About
This is a two-arm, multi-site randomized controlled trial of 1,350 older adults (50+ years) with either advanced cancer (defined as metastatic solid tumor) or end-stage organ failure (New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV Heart Failure, End Stage Renal Disease defined as GFR < 15 ml/min/m2; or Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Stage III or higher or oxygen-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) defined as FEV1 < 50% or the mMRC dyspnea scale) who present to the Emergency Department (ED), along with 675 of their informal caregivers. Investigators will compare the effectiveness of two distinct palliative care models: a) nurse-led telephonic case management; and b) facilitated, outpatient specialty palliative care.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
Patients:
- English or Spanish-speaking patients ages 50 years and older
- Qualifying serious, life-limiting conditions and who are scheduled for ED discharge, observation status, or admission for two midnights or less.
- Qualifying conditions include: advanced cancer (defined as metastatic solid tumor) or end-stage organ failure (New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV Heart Failure, End Stage Renal Disease defined as GFR < 15 ml/min/m2; or Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Stage III or higher or oxygen-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) defined as FEV1 < 50% or the mMRC dyspnea scale)
- Patients must have health insurance, reside within the geographical area, and have a working telephone. Informal Caregivers:
- English or Spanish-speaking caregivers ages 18 years and older who care for and accompany an enrolled patient. Informal caregivers must possess a working telephone.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients with dementia identified in the EHR, who received hospice services in the last six months, who have received 2 or more palliative care visits in the last 6 months, and those who reside in a skilled nursing or assisted living facility and chronic care hospital.
Join this Trial
- UCLA Westwood