Key result
A review of four studies suggests that routine administration of standardized instruments to measure symptom severity and quality of life may improve management of Stage D heart failure.
Why the study?
Does the routine administration of standardized instruments improve the assessment and management of patients with Stage D heart failure receiving palliative care?
Does the routine administration of standardized instruments improve the assessment and management of patients with Stage D heart failure receiving palliative care?
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Routine administration of standardized instruments to measure symptom severity and quality of life may improve the assessment and management of patients with Stage D heart failure.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Patients with Stage D heart failure can benefit from palliative care consultation to help them manage unpleasant symptoms and improve quality of life. Although guidelines describe how to manage symptoms, very little direction is provided on how to evaluate the effectiveness of those interventions. RECENT FINDINGS: Numerous studies have used the measurement of symptoms, emotional distress, functional capacity and quality of life to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in heart failure. There is limited evidence on the use of these instruments in heart failure palliative care. Four studies were identified that evaluate the effectiveness of palliative care consultation for patients with advanced heart failure. All four studies measured symptom severity, emotional distress, and quality of life. The application of appropriate instruments is discussed. Suggestions for scores that should trigger palliative care consultation are identified. SUMMARY: The routine administration of standardized instruments to measure symptom severity and quality of life may improve the assessment and management of patients with Stage D heart failure. Ongoing discussion and research is needed to determine if these instruments are the best tools to use with heart failure palliative care patients.
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MacIver et al. (2016) conducted a review in Stage D heart failure. Standardized instruments to measure symptom severity and quality of life was evaluated. A review of four studies suggests that routine administration of standardized instruments to measure symptom severity and quality of life may improve management of Stage D heart failure.
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