JCI Palliative Care Services Audit Checklist

A comprehensive checklist designed to assess compliance with JCI Palliative Care standards, enhance quality of life for seriously ill patients, and improve the delivery of compassionate, patient-centered care across various palliative care settings.

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About This Checklist

The JCI Palliative Care Services Audit Checklist is an essential tool for healthcare organizations aiming to meet Joint Commission International (JCI) standards and optimize their palliative care programs. This comprehensive checklist addresses key aspects of palliative care, including pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and end-of-life care. By systematically evaluating palliative care processes and practices, this checklist empowers healthcare providers to enhance the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, improve family support, and ensure a compassionate, patient-centered approach to care. It promotes a culture of dignity, respect, and holistic care in palliative services, recognizing the importance of addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their families.

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Industry

Healthcare

Standard

JCI Healthcare Accreditation Standards

Workspaces

Healthcare Centers

Occupations

Palliative Care Physicians
Palliative Care Nurses
Social Workers
Chaplains
Psychologists
Pharmacists
1
Is the pain management protocol being followed for patients?
2
On a scale of 1 to 10, how effective is the symptom control for patients?
Min: 1
Target: 7
Max: 10
3
Is there proper documentation of advance care planning for each patient?
4
Is psychosocial support available for patients and families?
5
Describe the spiritual care services provided to patients and families during end-of-life care.
6
Is bereavement support offered to families after the patient's passing?
7
On a scale of 1 to 5, how satisfied are patients with the end-of-life care provided?
Min: 1
Target: 4
Max: 5
8
What practices are in place to ensure compassionate care during end-of-life?
9
Is there compliance with medication management protocols for palliative care patients?
10
What is the date of the last review of the palliative care plan?
11
On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate the average pain level of patients in this unit?
Min: 0
Target: 3
Max: 10
12
What strategies are in place for communicating with families about patient care?
13
Is there evidence of cultural competence in the care provided to patients?
14
What feedback have patients provided regarding their care experience?
15
How many hours of training related to palliative care have staff completed in the last year?
Min: 0
Target: 20
Max: 100
16
Are interdisciplinary team meetings held regularly to discuss patient care?
17
Are advance directives discussed with patients and their families?
18
What educational materials are provided to patients regarding palliative care options?
19
How many different pain management interventions are utilized for patients?
Min: 1
Target: 5
Max: 10
20
How often are family meetings held to discuss patient care?

FAQs

The checklist covers key areas such as comprehensive patient assessment, pain and symptom management protocols, advance care planning, psychosocial and spiritual support, family care and involvement, interdisciplinary team collaboration, and bereavement support services.

It is recommended to conduct the audit annually, with ongoing monitoring of patient and family satisfaction, and more frequent reviews of high-priority areas such as pain management and end-of-life care practices.

The audit should involve palliative care physicians, nurses specialized in palliative care, social workers, chaplains, psychologists, pharmacists, and quality improvement specialists.

Results can be used to identify areas for improvement in palliative care processes, enhance staff training in end-of-life care, optimize pain management protocols, refine psychosocial support services, and demonstrate commitment to compassionate, patient-centered palliative care.

Yes, the checklist can be adapted for various palliative care settings, including hospital-based palliative care units, home hospice services, outpatient palliative clinics, and long-term care facilities, with adjustments made based on the specific care context and patient population served.

Benefits of JCI Palliative Care Services Audit Checklist

Ensures compliance with JCI palliative care standards

Enhances pain and symptom management for seriously ill patients

Improves coordination of care across various healthcare settings

Promotes patient and family involvement in care planning

Strengthens the integration of psychosocial and spiritual support in care delivery