Introduction

 

The importance of international benchmarking across patients receiving palliative care through Palliative Care Outcomes Collaborative (PCOC) data gathering is well recognised. The opening of the first AYAH in Australia presented a unique patient population with very wide-ranging diagnoses and reasons for admission not fully reflected in PCOC data. An information gathering system was designed to work in conjunction with PCOC and allow review of patients accessing the Manly AYAH, their care needs and outcomes.

 

Methods

 

Initial consultation was undertaken with PCOC representatives, medical and senior nursing staff from the Manly AYAH to review data categories considered best for tracking and analysing this unique patient population. Data in these categories was then collected and analysed to allow review of admissions and facilitate future service planning. 

 

Results 

 

An extensive spreadsheet was established reflecting patient demographics, illness type, disease modifying treatments, care needs (both general and for specific organ systems) and goals of care (GOC), including any changes documented in GOC during the admission. These results were then analysed, and the findings from the first six months of admissions to the Manly AYAH service will be reported.

 

Conclusion 

 

Unique patient populations may fall without commonly used data reporting systems. We report the implementation of additional data gathering for the Manly AYAH patient group, and the findings of the first six months. This could provide a useful base for other novel palliative care services in the future.