Developing a paramedic approach to palliative emergencies. (4th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Helmer, Jennie; Baranowski, Leon; Armour, Richard; Tallon, John; Williscroft, David; Brittain, Michelle
• Is Part Of: Progress in palliative care. Volume 29:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 72
• Page End: 75
• Publication Date: 2021-03-04
• Subjects: Paramedic -- Palliative Care -- Non-Conveyance -- Secondary Triage -- Clinical Pathways -- Treat and Refer; Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; Terminal care -- Periodicals; 616.02905
• DOI: 10.1080/09699260.2020.1852656
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-9260

Abstract

Abstract : Emergency health services (EHS) have experienced a steady increase in demand from palliative patients accessing 9-1-1 during times of acute crisis, although the majority of these patients do not wish for conveyance to hospital following paramedic treatment. To address this demand, and to provide patients with the right care, the first time, the British Columbia Emergency Health Service (BCEHS) introduced the province's first Assess, See, Treat and Refer (ASTaR) Clinical Pathway. This alternative model of care is intended to improve patient-oriented care by providing care for patients in their own home and reducing the requirement for conveyance to the emergency department, thus reducing the requirement for hospitalization. Launched in June 2019, the ASTaR Pathway includes the early recognition of patients with palliative needs accessing 9-1-1, the use of secondary triage services and the automatic notification and referral of non-conveyed patients to primary healthcare teams for patient follow-up. The following commentary outlines the early integration of the ASTaR Palliative Clinical Pathway into the BCEHS paramedic approach to palliative patient care.