Journal of Palliative Care & Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

A growing body of literature has identified significant care deficiencies and opportunities for improvement of care at the end-oflife (EOL). This is particularly true within the hospital setting, where the existing literature suggests widespread deficiencies in symptom management, miscommunication, and suffering of both patients and families. This study used a mixed-methods retrospective correlational design to investigate the EOL care processes and care outcomes within the acute care setting within two acute care facilities in Los Angeles. Data sources include quanitative and qualitative responses from caregivers of deceased patients via a mortality follow-back survey. A review of the medical records of decedents investigated the relationships among the study variable of completed mortality follow-back surveys. Results from this study revealed wide variability in the overall perception of EOL care by 92 caregivers. Some variables were identified as being of great importance to caregivers as evidenced by their frequency within the narrated comments and correlational strength. Key findings link advance care planning documentation to positive perceptions of EOL care and the need for further research in communication and pain management.

Biography

Email: leah.korkis@gmail.com