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Advance care planning in adolescents with cystic fibrosis: A quality improvement project
Author(s) -
Kazmerski Traci M.,
Weiner Daniel J.,
Matisko Janice,
Schachner Diane,
Lerch Whitney,
May Carol,
Maurer Scott H.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
pediatric pulmonology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.866
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1099-0496
pISSN - 8755-6863
DOI - 10.1002/ppul.23559
Subject(s) - medicine , advance care planning , cystic fibrosis , quality management , palliative care , physical therapy , family medicine , nursing , management system , management , economics
Summary Introduction Advance care planning (ACP), though recommended, has not been studied in adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF). This quality improvement project engaged adolescents with advanced CF disease in ACP and assessed patient and CF provider attitudes and preferences regarding ACP discussions and tools. Materials and Methods Patients ≤22 years with advanced CF (FEV 1 ≤40% predicted, >2 pulmonary exacerbations requiring IV antibiotics in 1 year, and/or use of home oxygen or non‐invasive ventilation) were referred to the pediatric palliative care team (PC). After establishing rapport, ACP was discussed using Voicing My CHOiCES™: An Advanced Care Planning Guide (VMC). Patients completed a survey assessing attitudes and preferences around ACP. PC also led a training session for CF providers around ACP and VMC and provider attitudes were assessed via a pre‐ and post‐training survey. Results Twelve patients (mean age 17.9 ± 2.2 years) reviewed VMC and completed the ACP survey. The majority (83%) found ACP helpful. None felt it was harmful. All found VMC easy to understand and 90% felt it was appropriate for patients with CF. Of participating CF providers (pre‐training, n = 6; post‐training, n = 7), 83% found ACP worthwhile, but desired more training in this area. All found the training session useful and felt VMC was appropriate for patients with CF. Discussion Adolescents with advanced CF disease felt ACP was a positive experience and not harmful. CF providers valued ACP, but desired more training. Both patients and providers felt that VMC was a useful, disease‐appropriate tool. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:1304–1310. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.