The Frequency and Factors Associated With the Use of a Dedicated Supportive Care Center Telephone Triaging Program in Patients With Advanced Cancer at a Comprehensive Cancer Center

Abstract Context There is limited literature on characteristics of telephone triage programs and the nature of interventions in palliative care. Objectives Our aim was to determine frequency and type of care provided by a Supportive Care Center Telephone Triaging Program (SCCTP) in advanced cancer p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of pain and symptom management 2015-05, Vol.49 (5), p.939-944
Main Authors: Pimentel, Lindsey E., BSN, RN, CHPN, Yennurajalingam, Sriram, MD, Chisholm, Gary, MS, Edwards, Tonya, MS, RN, CCRP, Guerra-Sanchez, Maria, BSN, RN, CCRP, De La Cruz, Maxine, MD, Tanco, Kimberson, MD, Vidal, Marieberta, MD, Bruera, Eduardo, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anesthesia & Perioperative Care
Cancer Care Facilities - utilization
Female
Hotlines - utilization
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasms - diagnosis
Neoplasms - epidemiology
Neoplasms - therapy
nurse telephone triage
Outpatient palliative care
Pain Management - statistics & numerical data
Pain Management - utilization
Pain Medicine
Palliative Care - utilization
Patient Participation
phone care
Prevalence
Remote Consultation - utilization
Retrospective Studies
supportive care
symptom control
Texas - epidemiology
Triage - utilization
Utilization Review
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Summary:Abstract Context There is limited literature on characteristics of telephone triage programs and the nature of interventions in palliative care. Objectives Our aim was to determine frequency and type of care provided by a Supportive Care Center Telephone Triaging Program (SCCTP) in advanced cancer patients (ACPs). Methods Electronic medical records were reviewed of 400 consecutive ACPs referred to palliative care at a comprehensive cancer center and given access to the SCCTP: 200 from the outpatient (OP) supportive care center and 200 from inpatient (IP) palliative care given access after discharge. We reviewed call frequency, type, reason, and outcomes including pain and other symptoms (Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale and Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale [MDAS]) associated with utilization of the SCCTP. Results A total of 375 patients were evaluable. One hundred fifteen of 400 patients (29%) used the SCCTP: 96 OPs (83%) used the SCCTP vs. only 19 IPs (17%) ( P  
ISSN:0885-3924
1873-6513
DOI:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2014.10.020