Palliative Care Triggers in the Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Success Story

Dimens Crit Care Nurs. 2017 Mar/Apr;36(2):106-109. doi: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000230.

Abstract

There is growing recognition that electronic medical record triggers in the intensive care unit (ICU) have led to an increase in palliative care consultations. One suburban health care system adopted triggers unique to their culture and setting in a pilot study and saw an increase in palliative consultations in the ICU. Implementing triggers is often a complex and multifaceted process to adopt. This review shares the steps from concept to implementation of establishing palliative prompts in 1 ICU within an integrated health care system.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Critical Care Nursing*
  • Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing*
  • Humans
  • Kentucky
  • Models, Organizational
  • Ohio
  • Organizational Culture
  • Patient Selection*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Referral and Consultation*