Table 1.

Sample characteristics and key aspects of palliative care (n = 4215)

Age, mean (SD)	88.4 (7.0)
Age categories, n (%)
18–79	454 (10.8)
≥80	3761 (89.2)
Sex, n (%)
Female	2505 (59.4)
Male	1710 (40.6)
Type of heart failure (ICD‐10), n (%)
Congestive HF (I50.0)	30 (0.7)
Left ventricular HF (I50.1)	157 (3.7)
Unspecified HF (I50.9)	4028 (95.6)
Place of death and type of setting, n (%)
Home care	346 (8.2)
Nursing home	2546 (60.4)
Hospital ward	1109 (26.3)
Hospice/inpatient palliative care	168 (4.0)
Other	46 (1.1)
Number of days enrolled to the care unit, median (q1–q3)	161 (10–953)
Number of days enrolled to the care unit, n (%)
0–3 days	506 (12.0)
4–14 days	759 (18.0)
15–30 days	342 (8.1)
31–365 days	843 (20.0)
>365 days	1765 (41.9)
Documented palliative care in patient records, n (%)
Yes	3365 (79.8)
No	511 (12.1)
Unknown	339 (8.0)
Medical prescription by injection (pro re nata), n (%)
Pain (opioids)
Yes	3840 (91.1)
No	354 (8.4)
Unknown	21 (0.5)
Anxiety
Yes	3638 (86.3)
No	538 (12.8)
Unknown	39 (0.9)
Nausea
Yes	2827 (67.1)
No	1318 (31.3)
Unknown	70 (1.7)
Pain assessment with validated scales, n (%)
Yes	1338 (31.7)
No	2595 (61.6)
Unknown	282 (6.7)
Symptom assessments with validated scales other than pain, n (%)
Yes	747 (17.7)
No	3052 (72.4)
Unknown	416 (9.9)
Documented palliative care in patient records, n (%)
Yes	3365 (79.8)
No	511 (12.1)
Unknown	339 (8.0)
End‐of‐life discussions with patients, n (%)
Yes	1814 (43.0)
No	1851 (43.9)
Unknown	550 (13.1)
End‐of‐life discussions with family members, n (%)
Yes	2919 (69.3)
No	891 (21.1)
Had no family member	76 (1.8)
Unknown	329 (7.8)
External consultation for symptom relief, n (%)
Yes	460 (10.9)
No	3590 (85.2)
Unknown	165 (3.9)
Pro re nata, i.e. medication prescribed to be taken when needed

HF, heart failure; SD, standard deviation.