A Model for Developing an Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic within an Accountable Care Organization

Abstract

The purpose of this practice inquiry project is to create a model for implementing an outpatient palliative care clinic within an organization of healthcare providers who participate in shared savings for Medicare patients, also known as, an accountable care organization (ACO). The goal of this project is that it can be used by future health care administrators to successfully create and implement an outpatient palliative care clinic. The philosophical nursing foundation for palliative care is discussed to set the groundwork for the model proposed. The benefits of palliative care nursing for patients, families and the ACO are discussed to support the importance of opening an outpatient palliative care clinic. A step by step model has been developed and presented on how to plan and implement an outpatient palliative care program. Tools have been proposed to help successfully and effectively create, implement and evaluate outpatient palliative care clinics within an ACO.