Baseline Period
During the baseline period of January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018, the
pediatric oncology department cared for 30 children who died of a
refractory cancer with a 5-yearEFS of less than 50%. Among those 30
patients, PPC was consulted 57% of the time (n=17) and for our outcome
measure baseline, the median time from PPC involvement to death was 13.5
days(range 0-206 days).Patients for whom PPC was not consulted prior to
death were considered to have 0 days between PPC involvement and death.
Of those 30 patients, PPC involvement >30 days prior to
death occurred in only 43% (n=13).During the baseline period, 25
patients had a new diagnosis with a 5-year EFS of <50%. PPC
was consulted for 14 of these, and for our process measure, the median
time from diagnosis to PPC consult was 221.5 days. Of the 25 children
with new target list diagnoses, 28% (n=7) had PPC consulted within 30
days of their diagnosis.