Introduction
Supporting choice for a child and family is an important aspect of care especially when it relates to the end-of-life location. Paediatric Palliative Care (PPC) teams work together with Community Palliative Services (CPS) to enable a family to seamlessly move between home and hospital. For this to occur CPS require a comprehensive referral from the PPC team. The referral process to CPS is not standardised across NSW instead it is clinician dependant and often time sensitive.
Objective
The aim for this project was to develop strategies to improve the referral process between Sydney Metropolitan CPS and the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network PPC which will enhance clinicians’ level of satisfaction.
Methods
The level of satisfaction with the current referral process between the PPC and CPS was determined through a survey of PPC and CPS clinicians in the Sydney Metropolitan area. The survey measured satisfaction relating to six domains. Key drivers were identified and interventions trialed. A feedback questionnaire was completed by PPC and CPS following the instigations of interventions to measure if it enhance clinician’s level of satisfaction.
Results
Forty-two palliative care clinicians responded to the current referral process satisfaction survey highlighting that there were inconsistencies in the referral process, a need for better understanding of how each team worked and communication gaps especially relating to allied health. The inclusion of a videoconference between PPC, CPS, other key HCP and the family was trialled. In addition a handover check list was developed to ensure essential care was communicated between teams.
Ten clinicians provided feedback on this modified handover process which informed there was an increase in knowledge, satisfaction and a preference to continue.
Discussion/Implications for practice
Palliative Care clinicians meet families when they are most vulnerable and they want to ensure that they can provide a high level of care from the moment they say ‘hello’. While this study focused on clinician satisfaction, it was envisaged that clinician satisfaction correlated to better care for the dying child and family.
Conclusion
The use of videoconference and the checklist has now been embedded into practice.