Evaluation of Satisfaction With Quality of Care on the Palliative Care Unit

This study examines the difference between the quality of care patients receive with palliative care consult services and the palliative care unit. This may help researchers learn how improvements can be made to the level of care provided in the palliative care unit and improve satisfaction with quality of care by patients and caregivers.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To determine the change of satisfaction with quality of care after an experience on the palliative care unit (PCU) for both patients and caregivers, as determined by the global rating survey.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine the change of the quality of care as determined by patients and caregivers utilizing validated assessment tools and a global rating survey assessing different aspects of care after PCU.

II. To determine domains of care that are strongly or poorly provided by the PCU, as reported by patient and caregiver opinions on quality of care.

III. To determine which demographic features (i.e. cancer diagnosis; time since diagnosis; reason for transfer to the PCU; gender; caregiver ethnic group; comfort with the idea of transfer to the PCU; Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale \[MDAS\], Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale \[ESAS\], and distress thermometer) may correlate with patient and caregiver satisfaction with PCU care measured by global survey and with the family satisfaction with end-of-life care.

OUTLINE:

Patients and caregivers complete surveys over 5-10 minutes before and after care in the PCU.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients and/or patients' caregivers who have completed at least 2 weekdays on an in-patient service together with the assistance of the palliative care consult services (PCCS), and who then are transitioned to the care of the PCU team along with an admission order to that effect
* A caregiver (if participating) must have been present with the patient during 2 weekdays on the inpatient service and present for at least 2 weekdays of care on the PCU
* Both patient and caregiver participation is optional but both must be 18 years of age or older
* A caregiver will be defined by the patient as "the person most involved with their care". However, if the patient lacks capacity, the caregiver will be decided via discussion with individuals indicated in the patient's Medical Power of Attorney or the Texas rule of law if this is not present
* Both patient and caregiver (if participating) must understand, read and speak English
* Both patient (if actively participating) and caregiver (if participating) must sign an informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients or caregivers with physical limitations (visual or motor impairment) causing inability to read, complete or sign the consent form and surveys after considering appropriate aid and assistance
* Patients or caregivers who the research staff, bedside nurse, or palliative care physician or mid-level provider deems unable to participate due to poor cognitive capacity or acute physical distress
* Caregivers who are not able to attend the patient for at least 2 weekdays while on the PCU
* Patients who are imminently dying as determined by the palliative physician (or designated advanced practice provider \[APP\]/fellow)