Date of Award
4-2020
Document Type
Project Paper
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
Program Affiliation
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
First Advisor
Dr. Mary Rivard
Abstract
Worldwide, an estimated 20 million people require palliative care. The Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance has identified the need for palliative care has never been higher and is increasing at a rapid rate due to the world`s aging population, increase in cancer, and noncommunicable disease. Despite the increased need, the palliative care establishment has not been efficient in identifying patients who need palliative care. The use of a standardized screening process to assist in the timely identification of patients with palliative care needs is lacking, or in some cases, non-existent. At a Midwestern pain clinic lack of screening is causing a delay for patients who may qualify for palliative care services. A quality improvement project was implemented at the clinic utilizing a standardized screening tool, the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT). Implementation of a palliative care screening tool positively enhanced Advanced Practice provider approaches to screen and identify patients who may qualify for Palliative care services. The findings suggest that SPICT may be an important tool to improve providers` practices around palliative care. The DNP project provided an opportunity for clinical practice change among the Advance Practice Providers and the organization for patients who may qualify for palliative care and their families.
Recommended Citation
Machoka, Orina, "Improving Palliative Care Utilization Process: An Effort to Enhance Providers` Contribution" (2020). Nursing Capstones. 372.
https://commons.und.edu/nurs-capstones/372