Predicting palliative care needs and mortality in end stage renal disease: use of an at-risk register

BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, March 2015, 5(1) 19-25
Kennedy Feyi, Sarah Klinger, Georgina Pharro, Liz Mcnally, Ajith James, Kate Gretton, Michael K Almond

This research used the GSF `surprise question' to formulate a list of patients predicted to die within 1 year with end stage renal failure. The authors conclude that these patients can be accurately identified by a multi-disciplinary team using the surprise trigger question with a relatively high sensitivity and specificity. The accurate identification of patients with reduced life expectancy allows appropriate end of life care planning to begin in keeping with patients' wishes and within published guidelines.

Fulltext available in BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care
Available in print in Arthur Rank House Library, Brookfields Hospital