Study Seeks Better Understanding of EMS Experience With Hospice Patients

The Research Donnelly CB, Armstrong KA, Perkins MM, et al. Emergency medical services provider experiences of hospice care. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2018;22(2):237–243. The Science This paper describes a simple study conducted by surveying EMS providers on their experience caring for patients in hospice. Eighty-six EMTs and 96 paramedics returned the survey. Fifty-four percent had 0–5 years, 26% had 6–10, and 20% had more than 10 years of EMS experience. They were asked to define hospice and palliative care, and there was no difference between EMTs and paramedics in their knowledge of this issue. The lack of difference persisted when comparing those with less than or greater than five years of experience. However, 36% of respondents believed that a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order was required for all hospice patients. Twelve percent believed that a DNR was required for patients receiving palliative care. Only 30% indicated they had received formal education on the care of hospice patients, with paramedics predominantly receiving more education than EMTs. Open-ended questions on their comfort level caring for these patients revealed that family-related challenges, communication with hospice and ED providers, portability and use of end-of-life documentation, and the need for additional education were the common themes in their replies. Doc Wesley Comments There aren’t enough papers published on this critical subject. I agree with the authors’ call for more education and an ...
Source: JEMS Special Topics - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Columns Mobile Integrated Healthcare Source Type: news