Speaker Biography

Dr. Peter Stachura

Dr. Stachura P MBA, University Hospital St. Poelten, Austria

Title: Implementation process of palliative Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) within the network of German Comprehencive Cancer Centers (CCCs)

Dr. Peter Stachura
Biography:

Dr Stachura is an anesthesiologist with an expertise in intensive and palliative care. Points of interest are end of life decision making, management of palliative care, healthcare economics and healthcare research. Dr. Stachura pursued a MBA degree at the University of Bayreuth, Germany. He has also experience in research and teaching at FAU University in Erlangen, Germany and Karl Landsteiner Universtity. Austria.

 

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: The presence of palliative Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) within the network of German Comprehencive Cancer Centers (CCCs) was very heterogeneous. Some CCCs had a group of high quality SOPs, some of them didn´t fulfill quality requierements and some centers didn´t have relevant SOPs at all. In year 2016 was established the coordination office within the CCCs network. One part of the coordination work was to improve the differences in presence and content of palliative care standards. Methodology: 15 CCCs funded by the German Cancer Aid were asked to rate availability and relevance of (1) symptom-related, (2) clinical pathways and (3) measures- and processes-oriented SOPs using a structured questionnaire. After that 15 relevant SOPs were chosen and elaborate within the network according validated template.

Findings: Pain management SOPs were the most common (n =11; 73 %). The most thematic relevance showed SOPs dedicated to pain management, care in the last days of life and delirium and other neuropsychiatric diseases (each n =13; 87 %), followed by bowel obstruction, dyspnoea, nausea and palliative sedation (each n =12; 80 %). All this themes were reflected in SOPs volume edited by coordination office. Conclusion: There was a wide gap between availability and perceived relevance of palliative care SOPs within the network of German CCCs. Due to establishment of coordination office 15 relevant, high quality SOPs were developed. This can contribute to the improvement of patient care. Next research is needed to determine if SOPs have positive effect on palliative care in CCCs.