Outcomes following perinatal palliative care consultation: a retrospective review

Objective To inform clinical practice by describing a model of perinatal palliative care delivery within a fully staffed fetal health center (FHC) inside a freestanding children’s hospital. Study design The team conducted a retrospective chart review of the palliative care team (PaCT) database from FHC’s inception in 2010 to 31 December, 2018, and surveyed the FHC neonatologists. Results PaCT consults in the FHC increased from 1 in 2010 to 102 in 2018. PaCT met 430 mothers for prenatal consultation. Of the 390 live-born infants, 172 died; 48 received comfort care only from birth; and 19 survived to discharge home with hospice. At the time of review, PaCT still follows 109 children met prenatally. PaCT discharged 96 patients that no longer required PaCT services. Conclusions PaCT provides an integral service within the FHC as evidenced by the increasing volume of consultations, variety of care provided and perceived value by FHC neonatologists.