Table 5 Models of integrated Palliative Care (n = 2)

Malignant and Non-malignant Disease

Retrospective and prospective cohort study

Influence of the Integrated Plan of PC^a of the Autonomous Community of Madrid in the medical activity of a hospital based PC^a unit.

Improvement in continuity of care, coordination amongst assistant bodies, increase in mean stay at the PCU^a, increase in number of home deaths, etc.

PC home care improves continuity in care of patients. Transfers to intermediate stay care centers from 112 (14,7 %) to 144 (21,5 %) (p = 0,001) and deaths at home increased from 61 (8 %) to 97 (14,5 %) (p = 0,000). Median stay at the PCU ^a decreased from 7 to 6 days (p = 0,155).

Advanced Chronic Disease

Observational, retrospective and descriptive study

EoLC^a of advanced chronic non-cancer patients identified by multidimensional evaluation and interdisciplinary teamwork in a medium and long term hospital.

General data, terminal criteria, diagnostic and prognostic information, development of advance directives, limiting levels of effort care, times from admission, risk of complicated bereavement.

Identification of advanced chronic non-cancer patients and their needs by interdisciplinary teamwork enabled indication for PC soon after admission (median 7 days, 15 days pure palliative treatment) and ensured appropriate care during their stay (prognostic to the family, increased from 65 % to 92 %; advance directives from 25 % to 96 %; adequacy level of care effort increased; Zarit score decreased, and risk of a complicated bereavement, 5 %.