Outcomes of an Acute Palliative Care Unit at a Comprehensive Cancer Center in Korea.

Background: The acute palliative care unit (APCU) bridges between active cancer treatment and hospice care. However, no study has proven the efficacy of APCU in Korea.

Objective: To evaluate the first-year outcomes of the patients admitted to an APCU at a tertiary hospital in Korea.

Pre-screening of patient-reported symptoms using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System in outpatient palliative cancer care.

Objectives: Although early palliative care is associated with a better quality of life and improved outcomes in end-of-life cancer care, the criteria of palliative care referral are still elusive.

Methods: We collected patient-reported symptoms using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) at the baseline, first and second follow-up visits. A total of 71 patients were evaluable, with a median age of 65 years, male (62%) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status distribution of 1/2/3 (28%/39%/33%) respectively.

Interprofessional Collaboration Between a Multidisciplinary Palliative Care Team and the Team Pharmacist on Pain Management.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact on pain management by multidisciplinary palliative care team (mPCT) and the team pharmacist.

Methods: Patients who were admitted to palliative care unit (PCU) for at least 7 days between April 2014 and December 2015 were included. The mPCT consisted of a physician, a pharmacist, nurses, and non-clinical support staff.