Project Details
About the Project
Dr. Jody Anderson knew there had to be a better way of helping patients who need recurrent paracentesis.
By bringing together physicians from radiology, internal medicine, oncology, palliative care and emergency, a new care pathway has been devised to redirect patients with metastatic cancer away from the ED and to an Internal Medicine day clinic, ensuring that patients receive drainage of ascites within 1-2 weeks of physician referral.
This project is currently undertaking a chart review of six months pre- and post-intervention to ascertain the benefits, and is currently planning a trial to use central line catheters to drain malignant ascites. If effective, the procedure may even be provided in the patient’s home, ensuring comfortable and accessible palliative care for patients.