Title
The power of advance care planning in promoting hospice and out-of-hospital death in a dialysis unit
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2015
Abstract
Background: Despite mortality rates that exceed those of most cancers, hospice remains underutilized in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis and nearly half of all dialysis patients die in the hospital. Objective: To review the impact of advance care planning on withdrawal from dialysis, use of hospice, and location of death. Design: Retrospective review. Setting: A rural outpatient dialysis unit. Participants: Former dialysis patients who died over a 5-year period. Exposure: Advance care planning, the use of physician orders for life-sustaining therapy program (POLST). Main Outcome and Measure: Use of hospice among patients withdrawing from dialysis, location of death. Results: Advance care planning was associated with a low incidence of in-hospital death and among those who withdrew, a high use of hospice. Conclusions and Relevance: Comprehensive and systematic advance care planning among patients with ESRD on dialysis promotes greater hospice utilization and may facilitate the chance that death will occur out of hospital.
Digital Commons Citation
Schmidt, R J.; Weaner, B B.; and Long, D, "The power of advance care planning in promoting hospice and out-of-hospital death in a dialysis unit" (2015). Clinical and Translational Science Institute. 119.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/ctsi/119