3524 - Evaluating KPIs in Palliative Care: Insights from a Tertiary Center

Purpose/Objective(s): The delivery of effective palliative care is crucial for enhancing the quality of life among oncology patients with serious illnesses. This quality improvement project evaluated the effectiveness of a dedicated palliative care unit in a tertiary oncology center in Abu Dhabi, UAE, focusing on four key performance indicators (KPIs): completeness of pain assessments, interdisciplinary team (IDT) discussions for advanced care planning, timely educational meetings with families, and regular performance status evaluations. This process was integral in achieving the Joint Commission International Clinical Care Program Certification (JCI CCPC), making it one of the few palliative care departments worldwide to obtain this prestigious recognition.

Materials/Methods: A retrospective quality improvement analysis was conducted over nine months (July 2023–March 2024) in an 11-bed specialized palliative care unit. KPIs included: (1) Pain assessments using standardized scales (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS) with a 95% target compliance; (2) IDT discussions for advanced care planning within seven days of admission (95% compliance target); (3) Family educational meetings within 48 hours of admission (90% compliance target); and (4) Regular performance status evaluations using ECOG and PPS scales (95% compliance target). Corrective actions implemented included standardized EMR documentation, bi-weekly interdisciplinary meetings, weekly compliance audits, and staff education reinforcement. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: Pain assessment compliance consistently exceeded targets (=95%), reaching 100% compliance in multiple months. Compliance with IDT discussions improved from an initial 62% (July 2023) to 100% by March 2024, reflecting successful implementation of corrective measures. Family education meetings fluctuated initially but stabilized, surpassing the 90% target by March 2024 (91%). Documentation of performance status demonstrated sustained improvement, consistently meeting the 95% compliance target after initial variations and achieving 100% from December 2023 onwards.

Conclusion: Implementing targeted corrective actions significantly enhanced compliance with key quality indicators in palliative care, facilitating the achievement of the JCI CCPC certification. Systematic documentation practices, regular interdisciplinary collaboration, and continuous audit feedback were pivotal in achieving sustainable improvements. This initiative underscores the importance of structured interventions and continuous monitoring to ensure high-quality palliative care delivery.