We are proud to announce that Colorado PoPCRN hospices have been invited to participate in the National Hospice Outcomes Project. This two year research project, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Chronic Care Initiative, is being conducted by the Institute for Clinical Outcomes Research in conjunction with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. The overall objective of this project is to conduct a Clinical Practice Improvement study of pain control, dyspnea control, and self-determined life closure to determine which treatment modalities are associated with better outcomes of hospice care. The ultimate goal of this project is to develop research-based dynamic protocols for better pain control, dyspnea control, and self-determined life closure. This goal fits well with the current focus of PoPCRN studies on symptom management and quality of life at the end of life.
Fifteen hospices nationwide (included Colorado) have been selected to participate in this important project. Nationally, the study will include 1800 hospice patients, 120 of which will come from Colorado. Staff from participating hospices will receive training in the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast's documentation training program 'Reflecting Excellence and Quality Care: The Hospice Documentation Process'. Participating sites have agreed to incorporate the standard documentation tools for dyspnea and pain assessment into their routine clinical care, beginning in November 2001. In December 2002, we (PoPCRN staff for the Colorado hospices) will collect data from chart reviews of selected patients (based on diagnosis and length of stay). These data will then be combined with the national data to evaluate the relationship between various treatment modalities and patient outcomes.
The following Colorado hospices have volunteered to participate in this project:
These Colorado hospices join the following hospice nationwide that are participating in this project:
Congratulations to these hospices for their commitment to improving patient care at the end of life. Please see the PoPCRN webpage for additional contact information regarding study participation.