NQP issues brief assists with end-of-life conversations

A new issues brief from National Quality Partners (NQP) aims to empower individuals with advanced illness, family members and caregivers to lead decisions about their care and to help physicians and other health care providers better navigate end-of-life conversations with their patients.

Strategies for Change – A Collaborative Journey to Transform Advanced Illness Care highlights six key preferences of person-centered care, provides snapshots of organizations that have embraced one or more of these key areas and pinpoints opportunities to use measurement to transform advanced illness care.

The brief was developed by NQP’s Advanced Illness Care Action Team.

In January 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule reimbursing physicians and other providers for discussing advanced care planning with patients and their families. However, studies show that nearly two-thirds of physicians feel inadequately trained to engage in end-of-life counseling. Some 9 million Americans will hit the age of 85 by 2030, and many will suffer from substantial disability and chronic conditions. Advanced illness care ensures that all individuals, regardless of age and demographics, receive coordinated care that addresses their specific and highly personal needs, preferences, values, and goals.

Click here to register NQP’s March 15 webinar, which will use case studies demonstrating how physicians, nursing homes, and home health agencies can integrate these preferences into existing quality efforts.