Adaptations within Palliative Care Delivery Models Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic at a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, all facets of palliative care provision for patients with serious illness have faced unparalleled challenges. We describe our palliative care program's response to the increased clinical volume associated with the pandemic by adapting workflows for inpatient and outpatient palliative care teams caring for oncology and nononcology populations. During the initial surge, the demand for palliative care consultation for patients affected by SARS-CoV-2 was high, accounting for 75% of all inpatient palliative care referral requests for oncology and nononcology patients.

A simulation based difficult conversations intervention for neonatal intensive care unit nurse practitioners: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Neonatal nurse practitioners are often the front line providers in discussing unexpected news with parents. This study seeks to evaluate whether a simulation based Difficult Conversations Workshop for neonatal nurse practitioners leads to improved skills in conducting difficult conversations.

Methods: We performed a randomized controlled study of a simulation based Difficult Conversations Workshop for neonatal nurse practitioners (n = 13) in a regional level IV neonatal intensive care unit to test the hypothesis that this intervention would improve communication skills.

Music Intervention as a Tool in Improving Patient Experience in Palliative Care.

Background:: The pain, anxiety, and stress associated with end-of-life care are paramount issues to address for both patients and their families. Reduction in these factors could translate to improved quality of life.

Objective:: We studied the effect of adding music to standard care for patients receiving a hospice or palliative care consult at 2 hospitals in the Care New England health-care system.

Interprofessional training: Geriatrics and palliative care principles for primary care teams in an ACO.

There is a well-described need to increase the competence of the primary care workforce in the principles of geriatrics and palliative care, and as value-based payment models proliferate, there is increased incentive for the acquisition of these skills. Through a Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program grant, we developed an adaptable curriculum around commonly encountered topics in palliative care and geriatrics that can be delivered to multidisciplinary clinicians in primary care settings. All participants in this training were part of an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) and were motivated to improve to care for complex older adults.