O-20 Playing Jenga with our paramedic colleagues to improve end of life decision making – @frailtyjourney. (19th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brady, Jo; Lisk, Clifford; Mani, Shama; Bertfield, Debbie; Iman, Towhid; Nevitt, Joanne; Pathak, Jayashree; Nolan, Catherina
• Is Part Of: BMJ supportive & palliative care. Volume 12(2022)Supplement 3
• Page Start: A9
• Page End: A9
• Publication Date: 2022-11-19
• Subjects: Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; Terminal care -- Periodicals; 616.029
• DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2022-HUNC.20
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-435X

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Paramedics services are under immense strain, decisions to convey or not are critical. We have an ageing frail population with 1 in 3 adults admitted to hospital in their last year of life. Active treatment is often the default option. Teams find it difficult to pause and recognise dying. People can be admitted repeatedly, although this may not be what they want if asked. Can we empower our front line paramedics to recognise advanced frailty and have brave honest conversations? Aims: Bring together expertise from the community and hospitals, with paramedics at the interface. Deliver interactive multidisciplinary webinars. Address gaps in knowledge by improving understanding of the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) to support decision making and end of life care. Methods: We used our established 'Frailty Journey Education programme' and tailored it for paramedics. We threaded scoring the CFS at crisis points exploring decisions to convey or not and outlined a framework and resources to support decision making. We evaluated with real time polls for confidence scores using CFS. We recorded feedback via QR codes between sessions then used PDSA methodology to make adjustments such as incorporating an ED perspective. Results: The polls from the webinars delivered so far demonstrated increase confidence in use of the CFS. Feedback reported increased confidence in communication and managing EoL decisions not to convey and use of urgent care records. This will result in more people receiving care in the community and reduce conveyances. Conclusions: We conclude high impact interactive education can be delivered to increase staff confidence that impacts patient care. This has system wide benefits from reduced conveyances and admissions. This programme has been successful due to the collaboration between, hospital trusts (ED and Geriatricians), Ambulance services, Hospice teams and Primary care. Our take home message is working together and sharing expertise across the whole patient journey is key to excellent end of life care.