Getting to the Heart of the Matter… Results from a Regional Survey of Hospice Providers Regarding the Care of Patients with Advanced Heart Failure (S719)

Abstract

considerable RN coordination of care for clinic workflows. Conversations averaged 30 minutes, and completion of documents happened more frequently within the inpatient than ambulatory setting. Thirty patients died since completion of the pilot, of which 40% (n¼12) had accepted HC and had completed advance plans. Compared to the non-HC group, the HC group was more likely to spend their final days in hospice care (91.7% vs. 55.6%, p¼0.199). Conclusions. HC provides a mechanism for culture change around ACP with substantial impact on patients and providers. Our pilot suggests implementation is feasible yet requires considerable change in workflows and resource allocation. Patients who completed HC were more likely to have a location of death consistent with expressed wishes.