Palliative Care Improves With Education and Implementation of Best Practices

The  BEACON study was conducted across six Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and staff training and education was provided to all care providers.  This care focused on identifying the actively dying patient and education on implementing the palliative care best practices, including communicating with family and loved ones.

The education efforts of the trail led to significant changes in several processes of care.  Dying patients cared for by trained staff were more likely to receive opioid pain control, orders for and administration of benzodiazepines, scopolamine for death rattle, and have advanced directives put in place.

This study led by F. Amos Bailey, M.D., of the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, highlights the importance of hospice and palliative education for our staff and care team members.