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?

Select the compliance status.

To ensure that patients are receiving appropriate pain management according to established protocols.
2
On a scale of 1 to 10, how effective is the symptom control for patients?

Rate the effectiveness from 1 (Poor) to 10 (Excellent).

To assess the effectiveness of symptom management practices.
Min1
Target7
Max10
3
Is there proper documentation of advance care planning for each patient?

Provide details of the documentation process.

To verify that advance care planning is documented to respect patient preferences.
4
Is psychosocial support available for patients and families?

Select the availability status.

To ensure that psychosocial support services are accessible to enhance patient care.
5
Describe the spiritual care services provided to patients and families during end-of-life care.

Provide a detailed description of the spiritual care services.

To evaluate the adequacy and quality of spiritual care offered.
6
Is bereavement support offered to families after the patient's passing?

Select the status of bereavement support.

To ensure that families receive appropriate support during the grieving process.
7
On a scale of 1 to 5, how satisfied are patients with the end-of-life care provided?

Rate the satisfaction level from 1 (Very Dissatisfied) to 5 (Very Satisfied).

To gauge patient satisfaction regarding the quality of end-of-life care.
Min1
Target4
Max5
8
What practices are in place to ensure compassionate care during end-of-life?

List and describe the compassionate care practices observed.

To assess the implementation of compassionate care principles.
9
Is there compliance with medication management protocols for palliative care patients?

Select the compliance status.

To ensure that medication management follows established guidelines to optimize patient comfort.
10
What is the date of the last review of the palliative care plan?

Enter the date of the last review.

To track the frequency of care plan reviews and ensure timely updates.
11
On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate the average pain level of patients in this unit?

Rate the average pain level from 0 (No Pain) to 10 (Worst Pain).

To assess the effectiveness of pain management strategies in palliative care.
Min0
Target3
Max10
12
What strategies are in place for communicating with families about patient care?

Describe the communication strategies used with families.

To evaluate the effectiveness of communication practices with families regarding patient care.
13
Is there evidence of cultural competence in the care provided to patients?

Select the level of cultural competence observed.

To ensure that care is respectful and responsive to the cultural needs of patients.
14
What feedback have patients provided regarding their care experience?

Provide a summary of patient feedback received.

To gather insights on patient experiences and identify areas for improvement.
15
How many hours of training related to palliative care have staff completed in the last year?

Enter the total number of training hours completed.

To assess the commitment to ongoing staff education and training in palliative care.
Min0
Target20
Max100
16
Are interdisciplinary team meetings held regularly to discuss patient care?

Select the frequency of interdisciplinary team meetings.

To ensure collaborative approaches to patient care are maintained.
17
Are advance directives discussed with patients and their families?

Select the status of advance directives discussions.

To ensure that patients' wishes are understood and documented for end-of-life care.
18
What educational materials are provided to patients regarding palliative care options?

Describe the educational materials provided to patients.

To evaluate the resources available to patients for informed decision-making.
19
How many different pain management interventions are utilized for patients?

Enter the number of pain management interventions used.

To assess the variety and adequacy of pain management strategies employed.
Min1
Target5
Max10
20
How often are family meetings held to discuss patient care?

Select the frequency of family meetings.

To ensure that families are involved in the care planning process.

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