Abstract Body (Do not enter title and authors here): Background: Palliative care (PC) engagement can improve quality of life, reduce hospital costs, and enhance symptom control for individuals with heart failure (HF). For certain HF patients, PC can address symptoms and improve quality of life. However, referrals to PC often occur late, delaying benefits.
Hypothesis: We hypothesize that a standardized recommendation for inpatient PC consultation will increase PC consultation rates and improve 30-day readmission without an impact on 30-day mortality rates.
Methods: This interrupted time series study focused on high-risk HF patients at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. The cohort included patients in the Golden Hearts Program, which is a local program to identify HF patients at elevated risk for 30-day readmissions and to accelerate resources to support their transitions. Baseline data were from patients 5 months before September 1, 2023, and the intervention group were from patients 5 months afterward. A standardized message recommending inpatient PC consultation was sent to attending physicians for patients with ESCAPE scores ≥4. Recommendations were also discussed at multidisciplinary rounds with senior residents. The primary outcomes were inpatient palliative care consultation and discharge to Hospice. Secondary outcomes were 30-day readmissions and 30-day mortality. Outcome measures were assessed post-discharge using Chi-square and T-test analyses.
Results: The baseline group had 203 patients; the intervention group had 213. Post-intervention, PC consultation rates decreased from 12.3% to 8% (p=0.19), Discharge to hospice decreased from 2% to 0.9% (p=0.05), 30-day mortality decreased (8.4% vs 7%, p=0.74), and 30-day readmission dropped from 23.6% to 15% (p=0.04). The average length of stay remained 5.7 days in both groups. Limitations included provider buy-in and a limited time period.
Conclusion: Though the intervention aimed at targeted PC consult recommendations for advanced HF patients led to reduced 30-day readmissions, there was a not a statistically significant impact on palliative care consultation or mortality.