Serial Palliative Performance Scale Assessment in a University General Hospital: A Pilot Study

Serial Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) assessments may predict functional decline and prognosis in cancer and noncancer patients and help with end-of-life decision making. To evaluate the functional status of using serial PPS assessments of patients being assisted in collaboration with the palliative care team (PCT). Prospective cohort pilot study. The sample consisted of 64 cancer and noncancer inpatients being assisted in collaboration with the PCT during the period from 2012 to 2016 (included 12 months). Patients' PPS scores were assessed in three sequential stages: prehospital, first PCT assessment, and outcome (discharge, transference to another unit or death). Functional performance was classified in categories as stable (PPS scores between 70% and 100%), transitional (PPS scores between 40% and 60%), and end of life (PPS scores between 10% and 30%). The mean PPS score during the three assessment stages (respectively, 60.5%, 38.9%, and 25.9%) was significantly different (p