Development of an in-home standardized end-of-life treatment program for pediatric patients dying of brain tumors.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate an end-of-life (EOL) program related to specific outcomes (i.e., number of hospitalizations and place of death) for children with brain tumors.

Design and methods: From 1990 to 2005, a retrospective chart review was performed related to specified outcomes for 166 children with admission for pediatric brain tumors.

Results: Patients who received the EOL program were hospitalized less often (n = 114; chi-square = 5.001 with df = 1, p <.05) than patients who did not receive the program.

Practice implications: An EOL program may improve symptom management and decrease required hospital admissions for children with brain tumors.