What is the extent of potentially avoidable admissions amongst hospital inpatients with palliative care needs?

BMC Palliative Care

Table 4 Diagnostic and admission data for patients whose admission was considered to be potentially avoidable (n = 14)

Source of admission	Clinic	1 (7.1%)
	A&E	8 (57.1%)
	GP	4 (28.6%)
	Other	1 (7.1%)
Time of admission	Usual working hours (9.00 – 17.00)	2 (14.3%)
Time of admission	Out of hours (17.00 – 9.00)	12 (85.7%)
Reason for admission to hospital	Fall	2 (14.3%)
	Confusion/general deterioration	5 (35.7%)
	Urinary Tract Infection	1 (7.1%)
	Stroke	2 (14.3%)
	Intra-abdominal catastrophe	1 (7.1%)
	Pain/symptom control	3 (21.4%)
Underlying diagnosis	Cancer	6 (42.9%)
	Frailty	2 (14.3%)
	End stage renal failure	1(7.1%)
	Stroke	3 (2.1%)
	Dementia	1 (7.1%)
	Encephalopathy	1 (7.1%)
DNAR order in place		11 (78.6%)
Placed on Liverpool Care Pathway		1 (7.1%)
Evidence of referral to specialist palliative care		4 (28.6%)
Suggested alternative place of care	Hospice	3 (21.4%)
Suggested alternative place of care	Nursing home	10 (71.4%)
	Own home	1 (7.1%)

ISSN: 1472-684X