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Exploring Risk Factors of Unexpected Death, Using Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration (PCOC) Measures, among Terminal Patients Receiving Palliative Care in Taiwan

Author

Listed:
  • Wen-Hsuan Hsiao

    (Department of Medical Education, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan)

  • Chun-Li Wang

    (Department of Family Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan
    Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan)

  • Lung-Chun Lee

    (Department of Family Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan
    Department of Industrial Engineering and Enterprise Information, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan)

  • Szu-Pei Chien

    (Department of Family Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan
    School of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan)

  • Chin-Chu Hsu

    (Department of Nursing, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan)

  • Wei-Min Chu

    (Department of Family Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan
    School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
    Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
    School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan)

Abstract

Palliative care has the ability to relieve both physical discomfort and psychological distress in terminally ill patients. However, unexpected death may still occur in palliative care settings. This study aimed to utilize Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration (PCOC) data to better determine any associated factors which may surround unexpected death in palliative care settings. Data were extracted from the PCOC database by the palliative care team within Taichung Veterans General Hospital (TCVGH). Data of deceased patients were extracted during the period from January 2021 to December 2021 from multiple palliative care settings. The deaths of patients whose last recorded palliative phase was 1–3 were defined as unexpected. A total of 280 deceased patients were included, with mean age at death being 67.73, 61% being male, and 83.2% cancer patients. We discovered that shortness of breath, as assessed by the Symptom Assessment Scale (SAS), decreased risk of unexpected death (OR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84–0.98), while impending death discharge (OR: 3.93, 95% CI: 1.20–12.94) and a higher Australia-modified Karnofsky performance status (AKPS) score (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.10–1.21) were associated with unexpected death. Thus, medical staff must inform the family of patients early on regarding any risk factors surrounding unexpected death to help everyone involved be prepared in advance.

Suggested Citation

  • Wen-Hsuan Hsiao & Chun-Li Wang & Lung-Chun Lee & Szu-Pei Chien & Chin-Chu Hsu & Wei-Min Chu, 2022. "Exploring Risk Factors of Unexpected Death, Using Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration (PCOC) Measures, among Terminal Patients Receiving Palliative Care in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13294-:d:943000
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    Cited by:

    1. Chun-Li Wang & Chia-Yen Lin & Shun-Fa Yang, 2022. "Hospice Care Improves Patients’ Self-Decision Making and Reduces Aggressiveness of End-of-Life Care for Advanced Cancer Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-15, November.

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