Association of emergency department admission and early inpatient palliative care consultation with hospital mortality in a comprehensive cancer center

PurposeConsultation to palliative care (PC) services in hospitalized patients is frequently late after admission to a hospital. The purpose of this study is to examine the association of in-hospital mortality and timing of palliative care consultation in cancer patients admitted through the emergency department (ED) of MD Anderson Cancer Center.MethodsInstitutional databases were queried for unique medical admissions over a period of 1year. Primary cancer type, ED versus direct admission, length of stay (LOS), presenting symptoms, and in-hospital mortality were reviewed; patient data were analyzed, and risk factors for in-hospital mortality were identified. The association of early palliative care consultation (within 3days of admission) with these outcomes was studied. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression model were used.ResultsEqual numbers of patients were admitted directly versus through the ED (7598 and 7538 respectively). However, of all patients who died in the hospital, 990 (88%) were admitted through the ED, compared with 137 admitted directly (P<0.001). Patients who died in the hospital had longer median LOS compared with patients who were discharged alive (11 vs. 4days, respectively, P<0.001). Early palliative care consultation was associated with decreased mortality, compared with late consultation (P<0.001). Chief complaints of respiratory problems, neurologic issues, or fatigue/weakness were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality.ConclusionWe found an association between ED admission and hospital mortality. Decedent cancer patients had a prolonged LOS, and early palliative care consultation for terminally ill symptomatic patients may prevent in-hospital mortality and improve quality of cancer care.