Table 2.

Global indicator for palliative care [20,51].

“Surprise question”: Primary provider would not be surprised if patient died within 12 months and believes patient would benefit from advance care planning or has symptom management needs

Frequent hospital or SNF admissions (3 or more in the past year or 2 or more in the past 6 months)

Complex care requirements •Wound care (wounds with one or more complicating factors such as exudate, infection) •New feeding tube •Total parenteral nutrition

Decline in function •One or more falls in the past month •Dependence in more than 3 ADLs •Sleeping more than 50 % of awake time

Feeding intolerance •Intake less than 50 % of usual for 2 or more meals/day on more than 4 days in the past week •Excessive feeding tube residuals

Unintended decline in weight •10lbs over 6–12 months or less •5 % of body weight over 6–12 months or less •Not due to fluid related to diuresis

previous hospice assessment or involvementa

^aStudy modification in month 4.