Patterns and trends in referrals to a palliative nursing service

Abstract

This is an analysis of patterns and trends in referrals and deaths in a palliative nursing service. Comparisons are made over a 10-year period and with national and district statistics. Results show numerical increases in patients referred, a trend towards medical referrals, small numbers of referrals from other professional groups and from hospitals, and death trends which are not significantly different from national statistics. Possible reasons for these patterns and trends are explored in the context of the developing Macmillan Nurse role.

Exploring nursing outcomes for patients with advanced cancer following intervention by Macmillan specialist palliative care nurses

“…While there are a number of descriptive studies of Macmillan specialist palliative care nurses, little or no work has been undertaken to evaluate the outcomes for patients and carers of their work, or in evaluating the specific interventions that they may provide. The focus of studies has been to describe and clarify their role (for example Lunt & Yardley 1986, Nash 1992). However, studies of the similarities and differences in how the role of a Macmillan nurse or service is operationalized, does not in itself satisfy the need to know whether or not such services are beneficial to patients, or that they represent value for money.…”

Hospital Referrals to a Hospice: Timing of Referrals, Referrers’ Expectations, and the Nature of Referral Information

“…PreVious studies on the referral of patients to palliative care services have focused on patterns and trends in referral (1,3,5,6), the reasons for referral of patients to hospices (1,7), the timing of patients' referrals (1,3,(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13), and the need for referring clinicians to provide the palliative care services with comprehensive information (1). .…”

Making cancer bearable: The Interlink Community Cancer Nurses model of supportive care

“…Nurse specialists in a pain service resulted in statistically significant changes in reported levels of pain and analgesic prescribing patterns (Mackintosh, Bowles, 1997). Increased availability of specialist palliative nursing in the community helps to ensure that more patients receive specialist palliative care (Nash, 1992).…”