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J Pediatr Intensive Care 2023; 12(01): 063-070
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1730916
Original Article

Timing of Pediatric Palliative Care Consults in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Disease

Danielle J. Green 
1   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
,
Erin Bennett
2   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
,
Lenora M. Olson
1   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
,
Sarah Wawrzynski 
3   University of Utah College of Nursing, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
4   Pediatric Critical Care Services, Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
,
Stephanie Bodily 
4   Pediatric Critical Care Services, Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
,
Dominic Moore 
5   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Palliative Care Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
,
Kelly J. Mansfield 
4   Pediatric Critical Care Services, Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
,
Victoria Wilkins
6   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Inpatient Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
,
Lawrence Cook
1   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
,
Claudia Delgado-Corcoran 
1   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
5   Department of Pediatrics, Division of Palliative Care Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
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Abstract

Pediatric palliative care (PPC) provides an extra layer of support for families caring for a child with complex heart disease as these patients often experience lifelong morbidities with frequent hospitalizations and risk of early mortality. PPC referral at the time of heart disease diagnosis provides early involvement in the disease trajectory, allowing PPC teams to longitudinally support patients and families with symptom management, complex medical decision-making, and advanced care planning. We analyzed 113 hospitalized pediatric patients with a primary diagnosis of heart disease and a PPC consult to identify timing of first PPC consultation in relation to diagnosis, complex chronic conditions (CCC), and death. The median age of heart disease diagnosis was 0 days with a median of two CCCs while PPC consultation did not occur until a median age of 77 days with a median of four CCCs. Median time between PPC consult and death was 33 days (interquartile range: 7–128). Death often occurred in the intensive care unit (n = 36, 67%), and the most common mode was withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies (n = 31, 57%). PPC referral often occurred in the context of medical complexity and prolonged hospitalization. Referral close to the time of heart disease diagnosis would allow patients and families to fully utilize PPC benefits that exist outside of end-of-life care and may influence the mode and location of death. PPC consultation should be considered at the time of heart disease diagnosis, especially in neonates and infants with CCCs.

Keywords

palliative care - pediatrics - heart diseases - hospitalized child - advance care planning


Publication History

Received: 27 January 2021

Accepted: 07 April 2021

Article published online:
24 June 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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