Palliation of heart failure: value-based supportive care

Atkinson, Clea, Hughes, Sian, Richards, Len, Sim, Victor M. F., Phillips, Julie, John, Imogen J. and Yousef, Zaheer 2022. Palliation of heart failure: value-based supportive care. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care , bmjspcare-2021-003378. 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-003378

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Abstract

Objectives: Heart failure (HF) is a prevalent condition associated with poor quality-of-life and high symptom burden. As patients reach ceilings of survival-extending interventions, their priorities may be more readily addressed through the support of palliative care services; however, the best model of care remains unestablished. We aimed to create and evaluate a cospeciality cross-boundary service model for patients with HF that better provides for their palliative care needs in the latter stages of life, while delivering a more cost-effective patient journey. Methods: In 2016, the Heart Failure Supportive Care Service (HFSCS) was established to provide patient-centred holistic support to patients with advanced HF. Patient experience questionnaires were developed and distributed in mid-2018 and end-of-2020. Indexed hospital admission data (in-patient bed days pre-referral/post-referral) were used allowing statistical comparisons by paired t-tests. Results: From 2016–2020, 236 patients were referred to the HFSCS. Overall, 75/118 questionnaires were returned. Patients felt that the HFSCS delivered compassionate care (84%) that improved symptoms and quality of life (80% and 65%). Introduction of the HFSCS resulted in a reduction in HF-related admissions: actual days 18.3 to 4 days (p<0.001), indexed days 0.05 to 0.032 days (p=0.03). Cost mapping revealed an estimated average saving of at least £10 218.36 per referral and a total estimated cost saving of approximately £2.4 million over 5 years. Conclusion: This service demonstrates that a cospeciality cross-boundary method of care delivery successfully provides the benefits of palliative care to patients with HF in a value-based manner, while meeting the priorities of care that matter to patients most.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Medicine
Additional Information:	License information from Publisher: LICENSE 1: URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/, Start Date: 2022-07-04, Type: open-access
Publisher:	BMJ Publishing Group
ISSN:	2045-435X
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	11 July 2022
Date of Acceptance:	25 May 2022
Last Modified:	03 Jun 2023 21:22
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/151195

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