Embedded Palliative Care in the MICU

Description

The goal of this study is to investigate whether embedding a hospice and palliative care practitioner within a medical intensive care unit will improve patient outcomes and healthcare usage. The practitioner will work solely within the medical intensive care units and offer timely as well as proactive consultations based on clinical criteria and estimated mortality risk. The study team will compare patients seen by the practitioner to patients in an adjacent ICU and historical patients to determine whether patient care is improved by this intervention.

Conditions

Critical Illness, End of Life, Quality of Life

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The goal of this study is to investigate whether embedding a hospice and palliative care practitioner within a medical intensive care unit will improve patient outcomes and healthcare usage. The practitioner will work solely within the medical intensive care units and offer timely as well as proactive consultations based on clinical criteria and estimated mortality risk. The study team will compare patients seen by the practitioner to patients in an adjacent ICU and historical patients to determine whether patient care is improved by this intervention.

Impact of an Embedded Palliative Care and Hospice Practitioner in the Medical ICU

Embedded Palliative Care in the MICU

Condition
Critical Illness
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Saint Louis

Barnes Jewish Hospital, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63110

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Patients admitted to the medical intensive care units at a tertiary referral center
  • * Patients must be at least 18 years of age
  • * None

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Washington University School of Medicine,

Stephen Chi, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Washington University School of Medicine

Study Record Dates

2026-06