A novel acute basic palliation concept for patients without specialised palliative needs.

Introduction: Among all Danish dying patients, 80% rely on non-specialised palliative care, an area lacking national and international guidelines. In this pilot study, we developed and tested an acute basic palliation concept (ABPC), a structured end-of-life (EOL) care plan for patients discharged from the emergency department to die at home compared with standard care.

Methods: This study compared symptom scores and EOL care statement scores during a standard care period with an ABPC period using unvalidated questionnaires. Each period included 25 patients. The study was conducted across two emergency departments in Denmark and included patients aged ≥ 18 nearing EOL. Furthermore, we asked if healthcare professionals would use the ABPC again.

Results: Relatives reported better symptom scores for three of four symptoms during the ABPC period. Doctors and municipal caregivers reported better scores for most EOL care statements during the ABPC period, whereas hospital nurses' scores remained unchanged between periods. All (100%, n = 67) healthcare professionals would use the ABPC again, and 96% provided positive free-text comments.

Conclusions: Relatives and healthcare professionals reported better symptom and EOL care scores during the ABPC period, with all healthcare professionals stating that they would use the ABPC again. Larger sample sizes and validated questionnaires are needed to verify our findings.

Funding: Funding was provided by Beta.Health, the Health Innovation Fund of the North Denmark Region, and Health Hub by Spar Nord Fund.

Trial registration: Not relevant.