Bill Lord1, Emily Andrew2,3, Amanda Henderson1, David J Anderson4,5, Karen Smith2,3,6, Stephen Bernard2,3,7. 1. 1 School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, Australia. 2. 2 Centre for Research and Evaluation, Ambulance Victoria, Doncaster, VIC, Australia. 3. 3 Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 4. 4 Department of Intensive Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 5. 5 School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia. 6. 7 Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice, Monash University, Frankston, VIC, Australia. 7. 6 The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Paramedics may be involved in the care of patients experiencing a health crisis associated with palliative care. However, little is known about the paramedic's role in the care of these patients. AIM: To describe the incidence and nature of cases attended by paramedics and the care provided where the reason for attendance was associated with a history of palliative care. DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients (aged >17 years) attended by paramedics in the Australian state of Victoria between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016 where terms associated with palliative care or end of life were recorded in the patient care record. Secondary transfers including inter-hospital transport cases were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 4348 cases met inclusion criteria. Median age was 74 years (interquartile range 64-83). The most common paramedic assessments were 'respiratory' (20.1%), 'pain' (15.8%) and 'deceased' (7.9%); 74.4% ( n = 3237) were transported, with the most common destination being a hospital (99.5%, n = 3221). Of those with pain as the primary impression, 359 (53.9%) received an analgesic, morphine, fentanyl or methoxyflurane, and 356 (99.2%) were transported following analgesic administration. Resuscitation was attempted in 98 (29.1%) of the 337 cases coded as cardiac arrest. Among non-transported cases, there were 105 (9.6%) cases where paramedics re-attended the patient within 24 h of the previous attendance. CONCLUSION: Paramedics have a significant role in caring for patients receiving palliative care. These results should inform the design of integrated systems of care that involve ambulance services in the planning and delivery of community-based palliative care.
BACKGROUND: Paramedics may be involved in the care of patients experiencing a health crisis associated with palliative care. However, little is known about the paramedic's role in the care of these patients. AIM: To describe the incidence and nature of cases attended by paramedics and the care provided where the reason for attendance was associated with a history of palliative care. DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients (aged >17 years) attended by paramedics in the Australian state of Victoria between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016 where terms associated with palliative care or end of life were recorded in the patient care record. Secondary transfers including inter-hospital transport cases were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 4348 cases met inclusion criteria. Median age was 74 years (interquartile range 64-83). The most common paramedic assessments were 'respiratory' (20.1%), 'pain' (15.8%) and 'deceased' (7.9%); 74.4% ( n = 3237) were transported, with the most common destination being a hospital (99.5%, n = 3221). Of those with pain as the primary impression, 359 (53.9%) received an analgesic, morphine, fentanyl or methoxyflurane, and 356 (99.2%) were transported following analgesic administration. Resuscitation was attempted in 98 (29.1%) of the 337 cases coded as cardiac arrest. Among non-transported cases, there were 105 (9.6%) cases where paramedics re-attended the patient within 24 h of the previous attendance. CONCLUSION: Paramedics have a significant role in caring for patients receiving palliative care. These results should inform the design of integrated systems of care that involve ambulance services in the planning and delivery of community-based palliative care.
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Keywords:
Emergency medical services; dying; end-of-life care; palliative care; paramedic; transfers between care settings