Impact of an Institution-Wide Goals of Care Program on the Timing of Referrals to Outpatient Palliative Care.

Context: Palliative care has received increased interest since the COVID-19 pandemic due to its role in guiding goals of care (GOC) discussions.

Objectives: We assessed the change in the timing of outpatient palliative care referrals before and after implementing an institution-wide multicomponent interdisciplinary GOC (myGOC) program.

Methods: We reviewed 200 random supportive care center (SCC) consult visits each from June to November 2019 (before myGOC) and June to November 2020 (after myGOC).

Benefits and risks of off-label olanzapine use for symptom management in cancer patients-a case report.

Background: Cancer patients often experience symptoms such as anorexia, anxiety and insomnia, which can impact their quality of life. Randomized placebo-controlled trials support prophylactic use of olanzapine for the prevention of nausea and vomiting due to moderate and high-emetic risk chemotherapy. In the setting of palliative care, olanzapine is increasingly utilized as an off-label treatment of symptoms including anorexia-cachexia, anxiety, and insomnia.