Attempts to Improve Palliative Care Quality Using Self-assessment Sharing Programs Formulated by Hospice Palliative Care Japan

Purpose: To clarify the significance of attempts to improve palliative care unit (PCU) quality using self-assessment sharing programs formulated by the Hospice Palliative Care Japan. Method: We conducted self-assessments of 7 sections (detection and assessment of patient’s needs, care planning, care implementation, preparation, and support for patients’ discharge, management at the dying stage, care of bereaved family, hospice bed management and meeting community needs) including 47 items on a five-point scale, and determined targets for care improvement in 2018, 2021, and 2022. The change of mean scales of 7 sections and 47 items in each fiscal year and the relationship to the targets for care improvement were investigated. Results: From 2018 to 2022, mean scores increased for detection and assessment of patient’s needs, near-death care, and care for bereaved family members. Conclusion: The self-assessment sharing programs have potential to analyze the status of PCU, clarify improvement targets, and improve the care quality in PCU.