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End‐of‐life care in a rehabilitation centre for older people in A ustralia
Author(s) -
Tan Heather,
Digby Robin,
Bloomer Melissa,
Wang Yixin,
O'Connor Margaret
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-6612.2012.00654.x
Subject(s) - audit , end of life care , medicine , rehabilitation , palliative care , older people , accommodation , advance care planning , nursing , family medicine , gerontology , psychology , physical therapy , management , neuroscience , economics
Aim To investigate processes at the end of life for patients who died in a subacute evaluation and management facility for older people. Methods A retrospective chart audit for patients ( n = 55) who died in the previous 2 years was undertaken, recording a number of significant variables. Results Despite diagnosis of comorbid medical conditions, most participants were admitted for improved functioning or assessment for alternative accommodation. Consistent with this focus, the key contact person was most often an allied health team member. N ot F or R esuscitation order and/or power of attorney documents on admission were uncommon (<30%) as were referrals to palliative care specialist staff (13%), although an end‐of‐life discussion was recorded (90%) and often included as a new goal of care (71%). Conclusion Factors likely to improve end‐of‐life care include advance care planning, earlier recognition of short prognosis and staff education.