Patterns of end-of-life hospital care for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma: exploring the landscape. Issue 8 (3rd July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Philip, Jennifer; Collins, Anna; Ritchie, David; Le, Brian; Millar, Jeremy; McLachlan, Sue-Anne; Krishnasamy, Meinir; Hudson, Peter; Sundararajan, Vijaya
• Is Part Of: Leukemia & lymphoma. Volume 60:Issue 8(2019)
• Page Start: 1908
• Page End: 1916
• Publication Date: 2019-07-03
• Subjects: Palliative care -- non-Hodgkin lymphoma -- health service utilization; Leukemia -- Periodicals; Lymphomas -- Periodicals; 616.99419
• DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2018.1564047
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-8194

Abstract

Abstract: Rapid change, treatment responsiveness, and prognostication difficulties present challenges for palliative care integration for hematology patients. This Australian study aimed to document end-of-life hospital care for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) to consider opportunities for palliative care integration. A retrospective population cohort design examining existing linked datasets of health service utilization and death registration. The results revealed 4380 NHL patients, majority male (58%) and aged 70+ years (70%), spent 32 days (median) in hospital in final 6 months of life, and in the last month, 56% had more than 1 hospital admission, and 57% stayed more than 14 days. Forty-one percent accessed palliative care, with first contact 23 days (median) before death, and for 77% in final admission. Early palliative care was more likely for patients with greater symptom burden. This study mapping patterns of care for patients who die from NHL establishes a baseline enabling comparisons for future care innovations.